2003
Space milestones
Kayser moves to larger premises
The growth of the space programmes makes the original premises insufficient. Kayser moves to a new site of over 5,000 m², equipped with laboratories, environmental chambers, a cleanroom and integration and test areas. The facility makes it possible to work on larger and more complex hardware, expanding the company’s industrial capabilities.
The ISS continues even without the Shuttle
The Columbia disaster leads to the suspension of Space Shuttle flights. The ISS continues to operate thanks to the Russian Progress and Soyuz vehicles, which provide supplies and crew transport. This connection also supports the continuation of experimental activities, including those linked to HPA.
China sends its first astronaut into orbit
With the Shenzhou 5 mission, Yang Liwei reaches Earth orbit. China becomes the third country capable of independently sending a human into space.
Missions & Payloads
BIOBOX 5
Multi-user automatic incubator for cell biology experiments. It can accommodate 24 samples in microgravity and 6 on an internal 1 g centrifuge, allowing a direct comparison between samples exposed to microgravity and control samples maintained at 1 g during the same flight. Aboard STS-107, it hosts OBLAST, OCLAST, OSTEOGENE and RADCELLS, mainly dedicated to bone metabolism and physiology. The available telemetry indicates that the facility operates correctly throughout the mission. However, the loss of Columbia during re-entry prevents recovery of the biological samples and subsequent analysis on Earth.
SOYUZ 12P INCR.7
Uncrewed cargo mission to the International Space Station. It transports supplies, water, propellant, equipment and scientific hardware in support of Expedition 7 activities.
STROMA
Experiment dedicated to studying the behaviour of bone marrow stromal cells, progenitors capable of differentiating into various types of connective tissue cells, including those involved in bone formation. Coordinated by Ranieri Cancedda of the University of Genoa, it appears in the NASA programme under the title “Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Differentiation and Mesenchymal Tissue Reconstruction in Microgravity”. Kayser Italia develops the experimental units for cell culture.
OCLAST
Experiment dedicated to studying the effects of microgravity on osteoclasts, the cells responsible for the breakdown and resorption of bone tissue. The aim is to determine whether microgravity acts directly on these cells. Coordinated by Alberta Zallone of the University of Bari, it appears in the STS-107 programme under the title “Microgravity Effects on Osteoclast-Driven Resorption in Vitro”. Kayser develops the experimental hardware of the OCLAST family. In the metadata, I would use “Platform: Space Shuttle” and separate the scientific leads from the organisations field. The loss of Columbia during re-entry, already described in the mission card, should not be confused with the experiments not having been carried out in orbit.
STS 107
16-day scientific mission dedicated to experiments in microgravity and Earth observation. It concludes on 1 February 2003 with the loss of the Shuttle Columbia and its crew during re-entry.
HPA
ASI facility dedicated to studying the effects of a stay in microgravity on the strength, coordination and motor control of the hand, wrist and forearm. The name derives from Hand Posture Analyzer. It comprises a Hand Grip Dynamometer, a Pinch Force Dynamometer, a sensor-equipped glove and a wrist-mounted inertial system. It is transported to the ISS on Progress 12P in August 2003 and begins its experimental campaign during Increments 7 and 8. The programme associated with Expedition 7 comprises six sessions, with pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight measurements. The project is carried out for ASI, with Valfredo Zolesi of Kayser Italia as Principal Investigator and Aleandro Norfini as Project Manager.