2009
Space milestones
Kayser enters the field of bioanalysers for the ISS
Kayser becomes involved in ESA’s IBICA, Bioanaly sISS and MIDASS programmes, dedicated to developing instruments for performing biological analyses directly in orbit. These technologies expand research possibilities on the Space Station, allowing samples to be analysed on board and reducing the need to return them to Earth.
A new generation of ESA astronauts
ESA selects a new class of astronauts, including Samantha Cristoforetti and Luca Parmitano. The selection opens a new phase for Italian participation in crewed space missions.
Kepler begins the search for new worlds
NASA launches Kepler, a space observatory designed to identify Earth-sized planets, including in the habitable zones of other stars.
Missions & Payloads
ECCO
Highly thermally insulated passive container developed by Kayser Italia for transporting scientific samples to and from the ISS. It keeps samples within predetermined temperature ranges without electrical power. The container family is qualified for transport on HTV, ATV, Soyuz and Progress vehicles.
HTV-1
First mission of the Japanese automatic H-II Transfer Vehicle cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station. It demonstrates rendezvous, robotic capture and supply delivery capabilities, concluding with a destructive re-entry into the atmosphere.
SOYUZ 20S
Crewed mission to the International Space Station. It transports members of Expeditions 21 and 22 and remains docked to the station as a vehicle available for a potential emergency return.
YING B1 & B2
Experiment dedicated to studying the effects of microgravity on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The name derives from Yeast In No Gravity. The research focuses on FLO genes, involved in cell-to-cell and cell-to-surface adhesion, flocculation, biofilm formation and invasive growth. It uses two culture configurations, solid and liquid. In 2009, the samples reach the ISS aboard Soyuz TMA-16 / 20S and are processed in ESA’s Biolab facility. The colonies show visible growth and analyses reveal changes in growth and metabolism in microgravity that vary by strain. The YING-B2 experimental units are made by Kayser and are subsequently refurbished and reused for MULTI-TROP, an experiment on carrot seeds.