2018
Space milestones
ACLS brings air recycling to the ISS
The Advanced Closed Loop System reaches the International Space Station aboard HTV-7. ESA’s demonstrator recovers carbon dioxide and water to regenerate oxygen, contributing to the development of technologies for long-duration human missions. Airbus is the project’s prime contractor; Kayser builds the entire avionics, electrical harnesses and flight software for the system.
Kayser exceeds one hundred payloads
Kayser has around 70 people, 68 missions and 108 payloads developed. The milestone reflects the continuity of activities encompassing life sciences, electronics, life support, communications and ISS infrastructure.
Twenty years of the International Space Station
Twenty years after assembly began, the ISS is a benchmark for research in orbit and international cooperation. For Kayser, the journey that began on Russian capsules has expanded to include systems and experiments intended for the station.
Parker Solar Probe sets off towards the Sun
Parker Solar Probe is launched, a mission designed to pass through the solar corona and directly measure the processes that drive the solar wind and the Sun’s activity.
Missions & Payloads
MME
Experiment dedicated to studying, at the molecular level, the loss of muscle mass and function associated with a stay in space. The name derives from Molecular Muscle Experiment. It uses thousands of Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, cultured in special bags placed in the KUBIK incubators and subsequently frozen for analysis on Earth. Kayser Italia designs and validates new Experiment Containers and their cage inserts, needed to accommodate and keep the bags separate during flight.
Cygnus NG-10
Cargo mission to the International Space Station. It delivers experiments, hardware and supplies. After separating from the station, it continues in free flight to conduct scientific activities and deploy CubeSats before destructive re-entry into the atmosphere.
ACLS - Life Support Rack
ESA demonstrator for regenerative life support, designed to partially close the air and water loop on the ISS. The name derives from Advanced Closed Loop System. The rack extracts carbon dioxide from the cabin air and, through a Sabatier reaction with hydrogen, converts it into methane and water. The water then undergoes electrolysis to produce oxygen for the crew, reducing the quantity of consumables that need to be transported from Earth. It reaches the ISS on HTV-7 in September 2018 and is installed in the Destiny module. The system enables air and water recycling technologies intended for long-duration human missions to be tested.
SpaceX CRS-16
Dragon capsule cargo mission to the International Space Station. It transports supplies and numerous scientific experiments and returns samples and materials to Earth for subsequent analysis.
HTV-7
Seventh mission of the Japanese HTV cargo vehicle to the International Space Station. It transports batteries, supplies, experiments and hardware, including components for the station’s electrical power system.
KUBIK Electronics
Upgrade to the KUBIK incubator-centrifuge introducing new electronic components, batteries and network connectivity to expand the facility’s functionality and extend its operational life. The hardware reaches the ISS on Cygnus NG-10 in November 2018; installation activities continue in January 2019. The upgrade forms part of Kayser Italia’s contribution to KUBIK’s development and evolution.