Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31513: NanoRacks-ArduLab-1: Pioneering Student-Driven Tech on the ISS

The NanoRacks-ArduLab-1 Tech Demo is an exciting milestone in student-driven space innovation. Developed in collaboration with the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology and Infinity Aerospace, this project was part of Expeditions 37 and 38 on the International Space Station (ISS). The central goal of the experiment was to explore how compact, modular electronics could be used in microgravity environments for a variety of applications.

ArduLab is a platform built around the popular Arduino microcontroller—a favorite of hobbyists and educators alike. By sending this flexible, programmable platform to space, students and researchers alike were empowered to run experiments ranging from sensor calibration in space to remote-controlled robotic behaviors.

The success of this technology demonstration lies in its accessibility. By leveraging Arduino, a technology many high school and university students already use, ArduLab opened up ISS experimentation to a much broader audience. With affordable hardware and open-source tools, space was no longer the sole domain of large agencies and billion-dollar programs.

The experiment also proved vital for developing rapid prototyping capabilities in space. With its modular setup, ArduLab allowed astronauts to swap out components and run diagnostics, testing new tech concepts in orbit without the delays of Earth-based redesigns.

By offering a hands-on learning experience and reducing barriers to entry, ArduLab helps cultivate the next generation of space scientists and engineers. Students learned firsthand how their code and hardware perform in microgravity, gaining insights no simulation or classroom could match.

NanoRacks’ collaboration with educational institutions exemplifies the democratization of space. Through initiatives like ArduLab, students not only dream about space—they actually build for it.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program to take part in shaping the future of space exploration.

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in astronomy, cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.