Project Grant 2419674

This $273,968 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) program supports the development of the "Space Biobank" by Rhodium Scientific LLC. This initiative aims to establish the first repository for microbial species optimized for the low-Earth orbit environment, enabling broader community engagement in space-based biotechnology research and development. The award, provided on March 15, 2024, will fund activities to streamline pre-flight experiment development, facilitate access to space-flown microbial samples, and enhance mission comparability through standardized biological processes. The Space Biobank is expected to significantly reduce mission timelines, provide a source of flight-adapted biological samples, and serve as a centralized repository for all space-flown microbial samples. Rhodium Scientific has extensive experience operating International Space Station (ISS) missions focused on biomanufacturing and bioprospecting, and the resulting strains will be made available through the Space Biobank. This project aims to democratize space-based R&D by enabling a broader range of scientists to engage in experiments leveraging the unique microgravity environment.