After nearly six months in orbit aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the four astronauts of NASA's and SpaceX's Crew-10 mission have safely returned to Earth. Their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California in mid-August 2025 marked the successful conclusion of a long-duration scientific expedition that included dozens of investigations sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory. This mission, which lasted nearly half a year, brought significant advancements in various scientific disciplines, promising revolutionary applications on Earth and opening new horizons for future space endeavors.

NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov played a key role in advancing science in space. Their dedicated work covered a wide range of fields, including biomedical research, physics and materials science, new technology demonstrations, and student-designed experiments. Through their activities, they helped push the boundaries of discovery in low Earth orbit (LEO), with the goal of improving life on Earth and supporting a sustainable and robust space economy. The international collaboration on the ISS, which brings together experts from different countries, has proven to be an invaluable model for solving global challenges and fostering innovation.

Innovative Nanomaterials for Medicine: Janus Bases in Microgravity

One of the most promising projects the crew worked on comes from the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech, in partnership with Axiom Space. The goal of this research is to leverage microgravity conditions to improve the production of Janus base nanomaterials. These unique materials, named after the two-faced Roman god Janus, possess an asymmetric structure with two different surfaces, allowing them to perform different functions simultaneously. On Earth, their production is often hindered by gravitational forces that affect self-assembly and create defects. In microgravity, where gravitational influences are minimal, a more precise and controlled synthesis of these nanomaterials is expected, which could lead to the creation of materials with enhanced properties and greater purity.

The potential application of Janus base nanomaterials is extremely broad, with a special emphasis on treating diseases like osteoarthritis and cancer. In the context of osteoarthritis, these nanomaterials could be used for targeted drug delivery directly to damaged joints, promoting cartilage regeneration and reducing inflammation. In cancer treatment, Janus particles could be designed to precisely recognize and destroy tumor cells, while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Their ability to simultaneously carry different molecules—one for target recognition, another for a therapeutic effect—makes them ideal candidates for advanced therapies. This project builds on previous research conducted on the ISS and is funded through NASA's In-Space Production Applications (InSPA) program, which aims to demonstrate and develop space-based manufacturing activities that can have a significant economic impact on Earth.

Solving Challenges in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Protein Aggregation

Several projects were funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), which has a long-standing partnership with the ISS National Laboratory to advance fundamental research on the orbital laboratory. One such project, conducted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in collaboration with Tec-Masters, builds on earlier research to better understand why protein aggregation occurs during pharmaceutical manufacturing. Protein aggregation is a significant challenge in the industry, as it can reduce the efficacy of drugs, cause unwanted immune reactions in patients, and complicate the storage and transport of pharmaceutical products.

On Earth, gravity and convection currents make it difficult to precisely observe the initial stages of protein aggregation. In the microgravity environment of the ISS, scientists can eliminate these interferences and study the processes of protein folding and aggregation at a molecular level in greater detail. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing more stable and effective drugs, especially biologic drugs, which are increasingly important in treating a variety of diseases, from autoimmune disorders to cancer. The data collected on the ISS will enable pharmaceutical companies to optimize drug formulations, extend their shelf life, and ensure greater patient safety.

Materials for Future Robotics: The Phenomenon of Liquid Separation

Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in collaboration with Redwire Space Technologies, are studying the phenomenon of liquid separation that could be harnessed to create materials for more realistic robotics. In microgravity, the behavior of liquids changes drastically; surface tension becomes the dominant force, and effects like the Marangoni effect (where liquids move due to differences in surface tension) become prominent. By controlling these phenomena, scientists can manipulate liquids in ways that are impossible on Earth.

This research opens the door to the development of new composite materials with unique properties, such as the ability to self-heal, variable stiffness, or adaptable texture. Such materials are key to the next generation of "soft robotics," which aims to create robots that are flexible, adaptable, and safe for human interaction. Imagine robots with skin that can change texture or limbs that can conform to the shape of objects they grasp. These innovations could find applications in medicine (e.g., advanced prosthetics), exploration (flexible robots for exploring inaccessible terrains), and industry (robots for delicate manipulations). Understanding and controlling liquid separation in space provides invaluable insight into the fundamental principles of fluid physics, with far-reaching implications for materials engineering.

ELVIS: A Holographic Microscope in the Search for Life Beyond Earth

In the search for life beyond Earth, technology plays a crucial role. The ELVIS (Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System) could significantly enhance this search. Scientists from Portland State University, in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., tested a new holographic microscope—ELVIS—that would allow scientists to study the adaptability of life in extreme conditions. Holographic microscopy allows for three-dimensional imaging of microorganisms without the need for physical sectioning of samples, which is crucial for preserving the integrity of delicate biological specimens.

ELVIS is designed to detect and characterize microorganisms in liquid samples, even at very low concentrations. Its ability to create detailed 3D images allows researchers to study the morphology, movement, and interactions of microbes in real time. This technology is particularly relevant for future missions to moons with subsurface oceans, such as Europa (a moon of Jupiter) or Enceladus (a moon of Saturn), where life might exist in aquatic environments. Testing ELVIS on the ISS, where extreme conditions of radiation and microgravity are present, provides valuable data on its performance and reliability in a space environment. Studying extremophiles (organisms that live in extreme conditions) on the ISS also serves as an analog for understanding potential life beyond Earth, preparing us for discoveries that could change our understanding of the universe.

The REACCH System: Combating Space Debris

The problem of space debris, or "space junk," is becoming increasingly serious. Thousands of inactive satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions orbit the Earth, posing a threat to active satellites and future space missions. In this context, the company Kall Morris Inc, in partnership with Voyager Technologies, utilized the free-flying Astrobee robots on the space station to validate their REACCH system. REACCH uses tentacle-like "arms" with adhesive pads similar to those of geckos to capture floating space debris. These pads function on the principle of van der Waals forces, allowing for a secure and non-invasive adhesion to various surfaces without leaving residue or causing damage.

The Astrobee robots, autonomous systems that move freely inside the ISS, provided an ideal platform for testing the REACCH system in a controlled microgravity environment. REACCH's ability to gently yet firmly grasp objects without using mechanical grippers that could damage the debris or create new fragments represents a significant advancement. A successful demonstration of REACCH on the ISS paves the way for the development of operational systems for active space debris removal. Protecting critical infrastructure in orbit—including satellites for internet communications, weather forecasting, GPS navigation, and defense—is of vital importance for modern life and global security. Without effective solutions for managing space debris, the risk of cascading collisions (the Kessler syndrome) grows, which could render certain orbits unusable for future generations.

The Future of Research in Low Earth Orbit

The ISS National Laboratory is proud of the partnership with NASA and international collaborators that has enabled this significant space research for the benefit of humanity. The return of NASA's and SpaceX's Crew-10 mission marks the successful completion of another scientific expedition in the ongoing effort to use space as a platform for innovation. The research conducted on the ISS not only brings immediate benefits to life on Earth but also lays the groundwork for a long-term human presence in space, including future missions to the Moon and Mars. Through missions like these, the ISS continues to serve as an invaluable resource for scientific discovery, technological development, and international cooperation, shaping the future of research and innovation.

For more information about the science the astronauts supported during this mission, visit the ISS National Laboratory's launch page.