2010
Space milestones
Kayser grows through self-financing
Kayser closes the period with equity exceeding €7.8 million and debt of approximately €700,000. Growth is supported mainly by reinvesting profits, while the company expands its programmes, develops new systems and strengthens international relationships.
Hayabusa returns asteroid samples to Earth
The Japanese probe Hayabusa returns samples collected from asteroid Itokawa to Earth, achieving the first recovery of material from an asteroid.
Missions & Payloads
PROGRESS 40P
Automatic cargo mission to the International Space Station. It delivers propellant, water, food, equipment and experiments, and concludes with a controlled destructive re-entry into the atmosphere.
PADIAC
Immunology experiment dedicated to studying T-cell activation in microgravity. The name derives from PAthway DIfferent Activators. The research investigates the mechanisms underlying these cells’ reduced activation capacity, focusing on the CD28 co-stimulation pathway and interleukin-2 receptor expression. The samples are processed in the KUBIK-3 and KUBIK-6 incubators on the ISS. Analyses show changes in the expression of several genes involved in immune activation.
STS-131
Space Shuttle Discovery mission to the International Space Station. It transports the Leonardo logistics module with scientific racks, equipment, supplies and spare components.
SPHINX
Experiment dedicated to studying the effects of microgravity on human endothelial cells, which are essential to the inner lining of blood vessels. The name derives from SPaceflight of HUVEC: an INtegrated eXperiment. The aim is to understand the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular deconditioning in astronauts. Twelve experimental units containing HUVEC cells reach the ISS on Progress 40P on 30 October 2010 and are processed for seven days in the KUBIK incubator. Subsequent analyses reveal changes in endothelial function and increased oxidative stress associated with TXNIP overexpression. The Kayser team includes Aleandro Norfini and Valfredo Zolesi.
ECCO
Passive thermal container developed by Kayser Italia to keep scientific samples within predetermined temperature ranges during transfer between Earth and the ISS. It is used to transport biological samples and other scientific material without electrical power.
SOYUZ 24S
Crewed mission to the International Space Station. It transports members of Expeditions 26 and 27, including ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli.