2008
Space milestones
XENOPUS flies on Soyuz
The XENOPUS experiment reaches the ISS aboard Soyuz TMA-13. It studies the development of Xenopus laevis tadpoles in microgravity, using hardware dedicated to maintaining and observing the organisms. Kayser thus applies its expertise to animal biology research in orbit.
Columbus becomes Europe’s home on the ISS
In February, Columbus, the European laboratory, is installed on the ISS. European research thus gains a dedicated space for scientific experimentation aboard the station.
The European cargo vehicle Jules Verne reaches the ISS
Jules Verne, ESA’s first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), autonomously approaches and docks with the International Space Station.
Missions & Payloads
SOYUZ 17S
Crewed mission to the International Space Station. It transports Michael Fincke and Yuri Lonchakov, members of Expedition 18, and spaceflight participant Richard Garriott.
ELITE-S2
During Increment 17, motion capture sessions continue, dedicated to studying the relationship between the brain, the mental representation of gravity and movement. NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman performs several experimental sessions, with the data subsequently transferred to Earth. The main protocols are IMAGINE-2, on the mental prediction of object motion, and MOVE, on the voluntary and automatic control of grasping movements. Developed by Kayser Italia for ASI, the facility is controlled and monitored in real time from the User Support Operations Center in Livorno, managed by the company.
INCR.16
Sixteenth long-duration expedition to the International Space Station. During this period, the Harmony module, the European Columbus laboratory and the first section of the Japanese Kibo laboratory are installed.
BIO-4
Experimental programme dedicated to studying bacterial adaptation, lymphocyte apoptosis and the development of the vestibular system in microgravity. The experimental hardware is developed by Kayser Italia and Comat Aerospace.
ELITE-S2
The first scientific sessions on the ISS begin on 22 February 2008. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts performs the IMAGINE-2 and MOVE protocols, recording three-dimensional movements for over two hours to study motor adaptation to microgravity. The aim is to understand how the brain modifies its internal models when the usual gravitational cues for the movement of the body and objects are absent, with potential applications in neurological rehabilitation. Kayser Italia develops and adapts the facility for the ISS on behalf of ASI and manages its ground operations centre.
INCR.17
Seventeenth long-duration expedition to the International Space Station, dedicated to scientific research, maintenance and preparations for expanding the permanent crew.