Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31615: Students Making Science in Space: Mission Discovery’s Biomedical Ventures

Imagine being a student and seeing your biomedical experiment launched to space aboard the International Space Station. That’s exactly what Mission Discovery enables through its educational initiative, the NanoRacks-Mission Discovery ISS Bio-Medical Experiments. Developed by ISSET in partnership with Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology, this program flew during Expeditions 37/38 and 39/40.

The goal of this project is to allow students to design real scientific experiments for space. Under expert guidance, students conceive, test, and prepare biomedical investigations focused on understanding how microgravity affects human health and biology. Once developed, the experiments are launched aboard a resupply mission to the ISS, where astronauts execute the procedures in microgravity.

The results from these experiments help scientists learn how biological processes such as cell division, wound healing, bacterial growth, or protein crystallization behave differently in space compared to Earth. These findings are important because they contribute to long-term spaceflight health strategies and future planetary missions.

But perhaps even more important than the science is the inspiration. By empowering young minds to become involved in real research, Mission Discovery nurtures future scientists, doctors, and engineers. It demystifies space science and shows that age is not a barrier to contribution. This democratization of science is essential to building a future where space exploration includes everyone.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program

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.