1989
Space milestones
A second experience in microgravity
Kayser continues its journey in space research with the MITE payload, linked to the EuropeanMASER programme. Fluid physics lies at the heart of the experiment: studying the behaviour ofliquids and droplets in microgravity makes it possible to observe phenomena that are affectedby gravity on Earth.
Luca Pieroni joins Kayser
In 1989, Luca Pieroni joins Kayser. In the years that follow, he will become a key figure in the development of biological incubators and the company’s activities dedicated to biological research in space.
Biology increasingly looks to space
Biological experiments in space continue within the Soviet Bion programmes. This research anticipates topics that will also feature in Kayser’s activities: in subsequent years, the company will work on European platforms dedicated to biology and the exposure of samples in space.
Voyager 2 reaches Neptune
Voyager 2 makes the first close flyby of Neptune. The images reveal a planet that is anything but static: the discovery of rings and moons and the observation of a surprisingly dynamic atmosphere transform our knowledge of the most distant planet in the Solar System.
Missions & Payloads
MASER 4
MASER 4 is a mission in the European MASER programme, dedicated to microgravity research through sounding rocket launches from the Esrange Space Center in Sweden. It carries MITE, an experiment studying the behaviour of fluids during the flight phase in which the effects of gravity are greatly reduced.
MITE
MITE (Maser Interfacial Tension Experiment) is a fluid physics experiment that measures interfacial tension in microgravity, namely the force per unit length acting on the boundary between two liquids that do not mix. Through capillary pressure measurements and observations of droplet growth, it studies the behaviour of liquids and the instabilities that may develop.