Alan Mortimer from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) illustrated how experiments in space facilitate better understanding of neuroscience, cardiovascular physiology, psychology, muscle atrophy and loss of bone density.

He said the collaboration between national space agencies is essential to quickly develop the laboratories on ISS otherwise it would take three years to build just one facility.

The cooperation between the Strategic Planning Life Sciences Working Group, incorporating the European Space Agency (ESA), National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), French Space Agency (CNES) and the National Space Programme of Germany, allows the sharing of methodologies, information and receipt of results from any of the member countries' experiments on board the ISS.

The future of Life Sciences research in space depends on this kind of enhanced international and interdisciplinary cooperation together with scientific excellence.

The representative from Boeing Corporation, Wayne Esser, opened his address by saying "ISS is a bridge to the future for research and development".

He said there was a need for space agencies to promote public interest in the commercialization of the Space Station and lend support to potential commercial users. Consequently, the development of terrestrial applications from the "spin-offs" of space technology will perpetuate interest in the ISS and largely contribute to the growth of Life Sciences research in space in the next century.

It was made clear that the role of industry in the research consortia is indisputable together with governmental and non-profit research institutions. According to Mr. Esser, hardware on the ISS for space biology and medical research is already 95% complete. However, results from the ISS will not be available for at least another 3-4 years.

One of the proposals to emerge from the workshop was that research access to the ISS should be made available to countries not contributing to the ISS.

In addition, technology transfer and enhanced information flow, not only between ISS users but also to developing nations, should be examined closely to fully maximize the potential of the ISS.

One participant suggested that Space Agencies design a flow chart of information from the ISS through to the national research laboratories of developing countries. Another suggestion was for a research facility of a developing nation to nominate an experiment through an ISS participating Space Agency which they would like conducted on the Space Station.

As research for space development is initially land-based, it was also suggested that developing countries could participate in this earth-bound work in order to eventually establish a foothold on the International Space Station.

UN Space Reports at SpaceDaily