NASA expects to have twice the room it needs on the international space station after looking at a proposal to use the station as a “National Laborartory” for U.S researchers after its completion in 2010.
NASA is planning a partnership with an institute that can direct this proposed national laboratory. The institute would make use of half the accommodation and services that is set aside for the United states. However, the institute should manufacture its own hardware and pay its researchers’ salaries.
Mr.Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator said:
What we’re trying to do is open up the U.S. segment of the space station to be used by a variety of folks.
NASA wants to use part of the space station to prepare for trips to the moon and to develop the technology for a mars mission. The remaining part of the station would be used as a “space laboratory” for U.S researchers.
A major difficulty though, will be to actually reach the space station that is around 220 miles from Earth.
Image: allposters.com
Via: msnbc
