Services & Company
  • 2023.09.14 Thu

What is a "CubeLab"? - Standardized platform for iterative R&D in microgravity

Company Name

Space Tango (United States)

Service overview

CubeLabs™ provide a standardized platform for iterative Research & Development(R&D) on the International Space Station(ISS). This automated hardware allows Space Tango to translate your Earth-based science for microgravity environments and serves as the basis for future pilot-scale and commercial manufacturing.

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POINT
  • ● Standardized platform for iterative Research & Development on the ISS.
  • ● Modular design and science interface systems to achieve what you want to do.
  • ● Proven engineering service recognized by NASA at their highest level of available space technology.
What is CubeLab™?

CubeLabs™ are an eye-catching cube with a sleek design. This cube, which stands out in photos and video, is, in fact, a standardized platform for iterative Research & Development on the International Space Station(ISS). With 1U (10cm3) as the standard size, CubeLabs™ can scale to 2U, 4U, 6U, and 9U to accommodate a variety of science and subsystems. More than 150 investigations have already been launched in the areas of cell culture, thin film fabrication, protein-based artificial retina production, flow chemistry, tissue chips, plant science, and microbiology. Does it include your type of business?

Scalable CubeLabs. The image above is 2U size. ©Space Tango
Like a Palm-sized Experimental Lab

CubeLab™ is like a shrinking lab into something small enough that it can be held in both hands. The space available for Research & Development on the ISS is significantly more constrained than labs on Earth—access to mass, volume, power, and crew time are precious. To address this constraint, CubeLab™ offers the capabilities of a full lab condensed into a 10-cm CubeLab Module.

If you want to culture cells in space and observe the process in real time, work with Space Tango to integrate subsystems (culture medium, microscope, temperature control device, and flight computer, etc.) into the CubeLab™ and it will be ready for launch. All you have to do is prepare your cells!The experiement will run autonomously on the ISS.

CubeLab in ISS ©NASA
Achievements recognized by NASA

CubeLabs™ has achieved the highest Technology Readiness Level of 9* as indicated by NASA.
Recent achievements include an investigation with University of Michigan in the U.S., which studied cellular mechanotransduction by osteoblasts in microgravity to better understand osteoporosis and the large population of people who may be affected.
A more familiar story to all of you is, Budweiser, a well-known beer company, used CubeLabs™ in order to evaluate the germination of barley seeds and growth of barley seedlings grown in a microgravity environment in 2020.
CubeLab™ make experimenting in space more accessible and affordable to customers interested in harnessing the power of space to advance their R&D on Earth.

* Level 9 is the highest level, meaning that the system is an actual system that has been "flight proven" through successful missions.

CubeLab in ISS ©NASA
Company offering this service

Space Tango is a Kentucky-based startup in the United Sates and now an industry leader in automated systems pursuing health and technology manufacturing in microgravity. Since 2017 through a NASA Space Act Agreement, Space Tango has provided facilities to support iterative Research & Development and manufacturing on the ISS. Through an integrated and established approach, Space Tango works alongside its diverse partner base to embrace pathways to on-orbit production yielding valuable and transformational solutions for humanity.

Message from Space Tango to Asia!
"Space Tango welcomes you to explore CubeLabs for your next science investigation in space!"

CubeLab in ISS ©NASA

Companies providing this service.

Space Tango (United States)

Business details
Commercial Service Providers, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Technology Development
Headquarters
611 Winchester Rd. Lexington, KY 40505 USA
Services
CubeLabs™
URL
https://spacetango.com

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