Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31582: NanoRacks-JAMSS-2, Lagrange-1: A Global Classroom in Orbit

Can students conduct meaningful space experiments? With NanoRacks-JAMSS-2, Lagrange-1, the answer is a resounding yes. This educational initiative launched aboard the International Space Station (ISS) brings hands-on science to classrooms around the world by giving students the chance to participate in real space research.

Led by Principal Investigator Tomohiro Ichikawa from Lagrange Corporation in Tokyo, the project is part of a broader effort to make space more accessible to non-professionals. Using the NanoRacks platform, the project enabled students and educators to design and send small-scale experiments to the ISS.

What kinds of experiments? Everything from observing the behavior of simple materials in microgravity, to studying plant growth, to testing sensors. While these may seem basic compared to high-tech research, they offer incredible value in terms of education and engagement. Students get to go through the full process: forming a hypothesis, designing an experiment, and analyzing real data returned from space.

The program ran over multiple ISS expeditions, from 41/42 through 49/50, illustrating its success and scalability. It’s a true collaboration between professional space scientists and curious young minds.

Why does this matter? Because inspiring the next generation of space scientists and engineers starts with giving them a chance to participate. Programs like NanoRacks-JAMSS-2, Lagrange-1 help demystify space and make it a tangible goal rather than a distant dream.

Moreover, the project encourages international cooperation. With contributors from Japan and the United States, and student participants globally, it underscores the ISS’s role as a shared platform for peaceful exploration and learning.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program to discover how education and space come together—how you, too, can design, launch, and analyze experiments in orbit.

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.