ISS research / May 1, 2026 snapshot
A source-linked snapshot of NASA-reported investigations active or recently handled aboard Expedition 74 on the International Space Station.
Research highlights
10 experiments
Science on station
NASA publishes daily station activity reports and a broader research database, but not one complete public live manifest for every active payload. This page uses official NASA reporting as the current source of record.
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Human health
Active researchHeart tissue and bacteria samples are being processed in the Multi-use Variable-g Platform to study how microbes affect heart tissue in microgravity.
Why it matters: Results can support treatments for cardiovascular and infectious diseases during spaceflight and on Earth.
NASA sourceBiotechnology
Active researchBlood stem cell samples are being imaged with the KERMIT fluorescent microscope so ground teams can study cell production in microgravity.
Why it matters: The work may help advance blood disease and cancer therapy research.
NASA sourceSpace botany
Active researchAlfalfa plants and root microbes are growing inside the Veggie facility to test how beneficial plant-microbe relationships behave in microgravity.
Why it matters: The study informs future crop systems that could recycle nutrients and produce food in space.
NASA sourceFood systems
Recently deliveredJAXA's investigation tests growing protein-rich spirulina on a thin-film surface instead of in water tanks.
Why it matters: Spirulina could help provide fresh food while conserving water and producing oxygen for crews.
NASA sourcePlant science
Recently deliveredESA's study exposes seeds from several plant species to spaceflight conditions to see whether seed growth and performance are affected.
Why it matters: The results can help researchers protect crop seeds during long-duration missions.
NASA sourceEducation
Recently deliveredThe Canadian Space Agency is exposing 1.8 million tomato seeds to microgravity before distributing them to classrooms for comparison with ground controls.
Why it matters: Students can directly test how spaceflight conditions affect plant growth.
NASA sourceBiology
Active researchRoundworms are being recorded to observe how their bodies and gut microbes change in microgravity.
Why it matters: The work may guide probiotics and other protective health strategies for astronauts and patients on Earth.
NASA sourceEarth science
Installed hardwareThree payloads were installed for the NanoRacks External Platform, including ultra-high-resolution hyperspectral imaging and a radio signal instrument for ionosphere measurements.
Why it matters: External station platforms let researchers test Earth observation technology in orbit.
NASA sourceHuman performance
Installed hardwareThe E4D exercise system is being evaluated inside Columbus for crew workouts on exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit.
Why it matters: Better exercise hardware supports crew muscle, bone, and cardiovascular health on long missions.
NASA sourcePhysical science
Upgraded hardwareA new quantum physics module expands Cold Atom Lab capabilities in the Destiny laboratory module.
Why it matters: The upgrade supports studies of quantum behavior, relativity, and dark matter search techniques.
NASA source