[NASA News- WASHINGTON] -- The International Space Station partner agencies met Thursday, Feb. 3, by videoconference to discuss coordinating the increased use of the space station as a research laboratory. The agencies want to continue using the station as a test-bed for exploration and find innovative ways to reduce costs while increasing use.

The Multilateral Coordination Board (MCB) meeting included senior representatives from NASA; the Canadian Space Agency (CSA); the European Space Agency (ESA); the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos); and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). As the senior management board, the MCB meets periodically to ensure coordination of station operations and activities among the partners.

The MCB reaffirmed its commitment to reduce operational costs, develop an integrated transportation plan and maximize return by increasing research aboard the station while developing techniques for future exploration outside Earth's orbit.

The MCB members reviewed ongoing international use of the station as a laboratory for scientific research, technology development and testing and educational activities. In the six months between March and September 2010, the five partner agencies have provided 195 research opportunities on the orbiting outpost for 385 investigators from 29 countries. Increasing the station's use as a unique laboratory is of paramount importance to the international partners. The International Space Station has proven to be an important platform for research in biology and biotechnology, Earth and space science, human physiology, physical science, technology development and education.

The partners also renewed their commitment to use station resources and observation capability to assist in humanitarian needs such as aiding in disaster recovery, tracking oil spills and monitoring climate change.

All of the partners also recognize the station's role in inspiring students around the world to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. More than 30 million students have participated in human spaceflight through communications downlinks and interactive experiments with station astronauts.

The governments of Japan and the Russian Federation have approved continued ISS operations beyond 2016. The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 extended operations until at least 2020. ESA and CSA are working with their respective governments to reach consensus about the continuation of the station.

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov

* * * * *

NASA Participates in United Nations Outreach Seminar on the International Space Station

[Feb.8, 2011 - WASHINGTON] NASA participated today in a seminar to create awareness among United Nations member states on potential uses of the International Space Station. At the request of the U.N.'s Office for Outer Space Affairs, NASA and its international partner agencies attended the outreach seminar in Vienna.

Representatives from NASA; the Canadian Space Agency; the European Space Agency; the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; and the Russian Federal Space Agency presented information on their respective
capabilities available on the orbiting outpost. They discussed the station's management structure, research facilities, research accomplishments, education outreach activities and mechanisms for cooperation.

"This was an opportunity for NASA and our international partners to share the capabilities of the space station with the international community," said International Space Station Program Scientist Julie Robinson, who presented at the seminar. "Now that the station has shifted from construction to research and technology development, we are working as a partnership to optimize its use as a laboratory."

The seminar was the first activity under the U.N.'s Human Space Technology Initiative, a new program that builds awareness among U.N. member states on the benefits of using human space technology to contribute to international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space.

The seminar occurred during the 48th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). UNCOPUOS members who participated gained a greater understanding of the space station and its research, utilization and educational opportunities. As a result, countries not currently part of the International Space Station partnership now will be able to assess better the opportunities for collaborative research aboard the station.

For more information on research and technology aboard the International Space Station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/iss-science/