Page 17 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

International Space Station Economic Value

In the 20 years since the first International Space Station (ISS) module was launched, access to
the environment of low-Earth orbit (LEO) for researchers around the globe has made gravity another
variable for their experiments. Since 1998, the ISS has enabled more than 2,500 research and
technology development (R&D) investigations, generating more than 2,100 scientific publications across
a diverse spectrum of fields. The Scientific Value section provides many examples of new knowledge
and data sets generated or refined through ISS activities. As this new knowledge begins to shape the
thinking of researchers and technological innovators back on Earth, new commercial products and
ventures are beginning to emerge and new lines of research are being explored—all demonstrating
how space exploration and the unique features of microgravity and space-based research can improve
our lives here at home.
The process of generating concrete economic value from space-based ventures often resembles the
proverbial long-and-winding road. Likewise, the many milestones and activities on the road to a mature
product can make it difficult to trace benefits back to ISS beginnings. With these caveats in mind, this
subsection aims to illustrate the benefits of the ISS by providing representative examples of ISS R&D
activities and ISS-derived technologies, and tracing their forward influence on emerging companies
and products, lines of research and the growing commercial marketplace in LEO.

From Research and Development
to Tangible Benefits
The journey from fundamental research, or technology
development, to full commercialization can be long.
In fact, it can take many decades to go from initial
conception, or discovery, to a useful product or
application of knowledge. In many ways, it can be
instructive to think of this in terms of an iceberg.
Innovative scientific research and technological
development can be thought of as a source of
possibilities and potential uses. From this base of
new knowledge and capabilities, emerges a finite
set of promising theories and potential applications.
These emerging, or prospective, benefits must stand
up to rigorous corroborative testing in the case of new
theories, or find a sustainable market niche in the case
of new products. In our iceberg analogy, the subset of
maturing technological products and scientific theories

…mWater was able to work with
competitors to improve lives around Figure 1
the world through the use of its
mobile application. Generating value from research endeavors.
Image credit: MAPI/NASA

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