We present a case study outlining the rapid development and implementation of a human physiology experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). Selected in May 2023 and flown in January 2024, the successful execution of this activity offers valuable insights for the global technical community involved in human space endeavours. The presentation will dissect the key stages of the project, from initial contact with the European Space Agency (ESA) to experiment execution on the ISS. Success factors, challenges faced, and the specific role of academic research in driving innovation will be discussed. Key takeaways include: - Strategies for streamlined communication and collaboration between research institutions and space agencies. - The value of a Minimum Viable Experiment (MVE) approach for rapid development within complex space missions. - Lessons learned for optimizing payload development and approval processes. - Potential for tailoring established processes to better facilitate academic-led space research. This case study aims to foster discussion on best practices for accelerating the pace of human spaceflight research, emphasizing the collaborative potential between academia and established space agencies.