On August 2, 2023, CIRES Director and Geography professor,
Waleed Abdalati, hosted a discussion at the International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) with Dr. Susan Margules, Head of the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Directorate. The session was entitled “Advancing Space-Based Scientific Knowledge Through Fundamental Research,” and it focused on NSF’s investments in space-based research for advancing our understanding of physics in the microgravity environment. From tissue engineering to fluid flow to combustion, the microgravity environment in space provides opportunities for new insights into fundamental physical and biological processes. According to Dr. Margules, research on the space station offers “the opportunity for fundamental discovery of phenomena that can be masked by gravity.” There are weaker forces at play than those dominated by gravity, and examining these processes and phenomena in space allow us to understand those forces. Doing so creates new knowledge that in some cases can ultimately have applications on earth such as improving predictions of fire propagation, managing muscle degradation, enabling tissue development and more. The space environment provides a unique laboratory environment that can ultimately improve life on Earth. A video of the conversation between Dr. Margules and Dr. Abdalati can be found .
