What has the International Space Station (ISS) contributed to humanity since its inception? That’s the question that gets answered in a new book published by NASA.

The 236 page book called International Space Station Benefits for Humanity is in its 3rd edition. It includes contributions from all the ISS partners including Canada.

The book is the product of the International Space Station Program Science Forum and Canadian Space Agency representatives include Luchino Cohen, Isabelle Marcil, Sara Millington-Veloza, David Haight, and Louise Beauchamp.

International Space Station Benefits for Humanity book cover. Credit: NASA.

According to NASA the “International Space Station partners have distinct agency goals for research, but each shares the goal of working together to extend the resulting knowledge for the betterment of humanity. In the book, the members of the International Space Station Program Science Forum provide their unique perspectives about the benefits of research and technology development, market innovation, and the ongoing support of a sustainable space-based economy.”

This edition includes the “benefits of conducting research on the orbiting microgravity laboratory and includes new assessments of the economic value – as well as greater detail about the scientific value – of the International Space Station.”

“The station has maintained a continuous human presence in space since Nov. 2, 2000, and is the only laboratory that allows scientists to manipulate every variable – including gravity. In the more than 18 years of crewed operation, thousands of researchers on the ground in more than 100 countries have conducted more than 2,500 experiments in microgravity, and that number continues to grow. This book provides examples of research accomplishments in areas of economic development of space, innovative technology, human health, Earth observations and disaster response, and global education.”

“This edition tells stories about the amazing accomplishments aboard the space station, which serves as a unique engine to drive scientific discovery,” said Kirt Costello, acting chief scientist for the space station at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “As interest in using the laboratory continues to increase, many researchers new to space have come on board, and we’ve added many new facilities. These all greatly increase the science we can accomplish and the rate at which that science translates to additional research and applications.”

The book is available to download at no cost as a PDF file.