In 2025, the ISS enabled over 750 experiments spanning human health and space science, including research that informed an FDA-approved injectable cancer medication. The microgravity environment allowed superior protein crystal growth, improving drug delivery methods. Additionally, 3D printing in orbit produced medical implants designed for nerve repair to support clinical trials on Earth.
Solar research aboard the ISS also yielded novel images and thermal maps of the Sun’s outer atmosphere, enhancing understanding of solar wind dynamics. These studies illustrate the ISS’s unique role in enabling science that benefits Earth and supports deeper space exploration.
Source & further reading
Out of This World Discoveries: Space Station Research in 2025 ↗Source published 2026-01-16. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.