...that December 27, 2012, is the new submission deadline for its “Materials Testing in the Extreme Environment of Space” Request for Proposals (RFP). “Because of significant interest in this RFP, CASIS is extending the deadline for the Materials Science solicitation in order to make sure that everybody throughout the research community has ample time to ask questions and submit their proposals,” said CASIS Interim Executive Director Jim Royston.

The date by which participants will now have to notify CASIS of initial interest in participating in the RFP is November 20, 2012. Notification must be done via www.iss-casis.org. Final proposals must be submitted electronically by 5:00 p.m. EST on December 27, 2012, via the CASIS solicitations website page.

The Materials Testing RFP focuses on research in Materials Science that can be exposed to the extreme conditions of space in order to understand and make use of the physical and chemical properties influenced by microgravity, atomic oxygen, low pressure and/or vast temperature variations. This RFP—which CASIS will support through grant funding, implementation partner access, and flight coordination to and from the ISS—will use the NanoRacks External Platform.

CASIS is planning to host an informational Webinar with NanoRacks on November 13, 2012. Please monitor the CASIS website and social media platforms for updates on the confirmation and details of this webinar. For additional information about this RFP, including instructions and resources regarding Materials Testing in the Extreme Environment of Space, continue to check the CASIS solicitations site: www.iss-casis.org/solicitations.