2005
Space milestones
Italian wine reaches the ISS
VINO is created for the Eneide mission, a container conceived by Valfredo Zolesi to take vine grafts from the Sassicaia vineyards into space. The aim is to observe the survival and growth of plant tissues in microgravity, in an experiment that combines space technology, biology and Italian winemaking tradition.
Huygens lands on Titan
The European probe Huygens passes through Titan’s atmosphere and reaches the surface, making the first landing on a moon in the outer Solar System.
Missions & Payloads
PHOTO1
Experiment dedicated to studying the response of photosystem II and mutant strains of Chlamydomonas to the space environment. It flies aboard Foton-M2, launched on 31 May 2005 from Baikonur, during a mission of around 16 days in low Earth orbit. The samples are housed in a container specially designed by Kayser Italia. The company is also responsible for the electronics and software of the BIOPAN facility hosting the experiment.
FOTON M2
Orbital mission with a recoverable capsule hosting 39 European experiments in fluid physics, biology, materials science, dosimetry and exobiology.
SCORPI-T
Experiment dedicated to studying the adaptation, biological rhythms and physiological signals of scorpions in microgravity. During flight, parameters including spontaneous electrical brain activity (SEA) are analysed to observe how they change in relation to space conditions. The analyses also consider the effects of launch vibrations, stress, animal movement and prolonged electrode placement. Kayser develops a ventilated BIOKON configuration specifically for the experiment for ESA, handling the hardware, mission support, flight opportunities and interfaces with the Russian partners.
POT
Biological payload aboard the 2005 Foton-M2 mission. For this card, the material provided does not allow a more precise description: I would retain the lack of information as an internal note to be resolved, without including the comment on available sources in the public text.
BIOPAN 5
ESA facility mounted outside Foton-M2 to expose experiments to vacuum, solar ultraviolet radiation and cosmic radiation under microgravity conditions. It hosts nine programmes: MARSTOX, LETVAR, PHOTO-I, RADO, LICHENS, ORGANICS, YEAST II, R3D-B and PERMAFROST. Results include those from LICHENS: two lichen species survive 14.6 days of direct exposure to space and recover normal photosynthetic activity after returning. The platform is developed for ESA by Kayser-Threde, with Kayser Italia responsible for the electronics and flight software.
VSV
Payload dedicated to the perception of subjective vertical in microgravity. Through a viewer shielded from external light, the astronaut observes lines on a display and indicates when they appear vertical. The aim is to understand how the absence of normal gravitational cues changes orientation and balance. Roberto Vittori uses the instrument on the ISS during the Eneide mission. Potential applications concern astronaut and pilot physiology and the diagnosis of balance disorders on Earth. The experiment stems from a request by Colonel Enrico Tomao, Head of Aviation and Space Medicine at the Flight Test Centre.
HPA
During the Eneide mission, Roberto Vittori uses the Hand Posture Analyzer facility to study motor coordination and fatigue in the hand and forearm. The campaign comprises three protocols: CHIRO, dedicated to muscle function; MAIS, to the kinematics of grasping small objects between the index finger and thumb; and IMAGINE, to grasping imaginary objects. The mission lasts ten days, eight of them spent on the ISS, and the experimental programme is successfully completed. The facility is developed by Kayser Italia under contract to ASI, with Valfredo Zolesi as scientific lead.
ARIEL
Fluid physics experiment dedicated to studying boiling in microgravity under the action of an electric field. It uses FC-72 fluid, a heater and five high-voltage electrodes, and operates for four days inside FLUIDPAC. The experiment demonstrates that the electric field can reduce bubble size and move bubbles away from the heated surface, improving heat transfer. Kayser Italia participates in the development and test campaigns of the ARIEL/GABRIEL experimental programme.
ENEIDE
Ten-day mission to the ISS with ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori, dedicated to scientific, technological and educational experiments.
PHOTO2
Experiment dedicated to real-time monitoring of the photosynthetic efficiency of different Chlamydomonas strains. It uses a sealed BIOKON configuration with an external connector and an instrument enclosure made by Kayser Italia; Biosensor and Carso contribute to the electronics. The results of the Foton-M2 mission show that two D1 protein mutants, A251C and I163N, maintain efficient photosynthesis in the space environment. These data provide insights into the possibility of selecting more resistant organisms for future bioregenerative systems.
FLUIDPAC
ESA automated facility for fluid physics experiments in microgravity. The configuration intended for Foton-M2, also referred to as FluidPac 2, has a mass of approximately 180 kg and hosts four experiments, including ARIEL. Optical systems and cameras allow detailed observation of convection, fluid interfaces and heat transfer. The mission collects almost all the planned data and achieves most of its scientific objectives. Kayser Italia contributes to the electronics, software and data management, as well as the thermal control systems, continuing the work begun on the facility’s first configuration.
GOAL
Technology demonstration dedicated to astronaut clothing, whose name derives from Garments for Orbital Activities in weightLessness. The wearable system makes it possible to investigate how garment cut, fabrics and construction can improve comfort, hygiene and efficiency during life in microgravity. The experiment concerns a T-shirt designed to adapt to the body’s natural posture in weightlessness, in which the arms, legs and torso assume a more flexed and relaxed position than on Earth.
VINO
Plant biology experiment dedicated to studying the survival and development of grapevines in microgravity. The name derives from Vines in Near Orbits. It takes grafted rooted vine cuttings from the Sassicaia vineyards in Bolgheri to the ISS to observe their behaviour during a stay in space. It flies with Roberto Vittori during the Eneide mission, launched on 15 April 2005. Prepared at short notice with the direct involvement of Kayser Italia, it uses a sealed, triple-containment BIOKON configuration developed by the company for crewed missions.