2019
Space milestones
Bioreactor Express is launched
ESA and Kayser launch a commercial partnership to offer universities and companies more direct access to biological experimentation in microgravity through the KUBIK incubator on the ISS. Bioreactor Express turns the experience gained in hardware development and experiment integration into a complete service, from the scientific idea to operations in orbit.
The first image of a black hole
The Event Horizon Telescope collaboration presents the image of the shadow of the black hole at the centre of galaxy M87. The result is obtained by combining observations from radio telescopes distributed around the world.
Missions & Payloads
Cygnus NG-12
Cargo mission to the International Space Station. After delivering supplies and scientific material, it continues in free flight with experiments and the deployment of small satellites, before destructive re-entry into the atmosphere.
SpaceX CRS-18
Dragon capsule cargo mission to the International Space Station. It transports experiments, equipment and supplies and returns scientific samples and hardware to Earth.
XENOGRISS
Miniaturised biological unit designed to maintain Xenopus laevis tadpoles under controlled conditions, acquire images and observe growth and wound regeneration processes on the ISS. The experiment includes an educational component, with students involved in both scientific activities and technological development. It is launched on 5 December 2019 on SpaceX CRS-18. Kayser Italia oversees hardware development and technical preparation of the payload, with Aleandro Norfini and Michele Balsamo as Payload Developers.
Soyuz MS-14
Uncrewed test flight of the Soyuz MS capsule to the International Space Station. It verifies the use of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle and the operation of the spacecraft’s upgraded systems.
ROTIFER B1
Experiment dedicated to studying the metabolic, genetic and transcriptomic adaptation of the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga to spaceflight conditions. It uses hardware developed for autonomous rotifer culture. The samples are activated and incubated in ESA’s KUBIK system, then frozen for return and analysis on Earth. Analyses published in 2025 show changes in the expression of approximately 18.6% of genes, with particular involvement of protein synthesis, RNA metabolism and DNA repair processes.
SpaceX CRS-17
Dragon cargo mission to the ISS. It transported experiments, materials and supplies and returned scientific samples and hardware to Earth.
LIDAL
Compact detector connected to the ALTEA system, designed to measure the flux, energy, direction and speed of ionising radiation inside the ISS. The name derives from Light Ion Detector for ALTEA. It combines scintillator planes and silicon sensors to reconstruct particle trajectory, speed and energy deposition. Time-of-flight measurements extend ALTEA’s capabilities, also allowing protons and light ions to be identified. It is launched on Cygnus NG-12 on 2 November 2019 and installed by Luca Parmitano on 19 January 2020. Measurements collected between 2020 and 2022 enable a three-dimensional characterisation of the radiation environment in the Columbus module, useful for risk assessment for future human missions.
Mini-EUSO
Wide-field ultraviolet telescope installed behind a window in the Russian Zvezda module. It has Fresnel optics, multi-anode photomultipliers and an acquisition system with temporal resolution down to 2.5 microseconds. It observes ultraviolet emissions from the Earth and atmosphere, transient luminous events, meteors and possible signals associated with ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. It is launched on Soyuz MS-14 on 22 August 2019 and begins acquiring data on 7 October. The observations subsequently enable around 24,000 meteors to be catalogued from the ISS.
BIOROCK
Experiment dedicated to the possibility of using microorganisms to extract useful elements from rocks through biomining, a process potentially applicable to resource utilisation on the Moon and Mars. Mini-bioreactors containing microbial cultures and rock substrates are placed in KUBIK to compare microgravity and simulated Martian gravity conditions with control conditions at Earth gravity. The experiment reaches the ISS on SpaceX CRS-18 in July 2019. The results show that microbial extraction of rare earth elements can also work in microgravity and under simulated Martian gravity conditions.
PPS Mk2
Power Distribution Unit designed and built by Kayser Italia to supply ISS payloads. It converts, distributes and protects electrical power, providing connected equipment with a standardised, controlled supply. It belongs to the Kayser family of power distribution units with experience of use on the International Space Station.
Cygnus NG-11
Cygnus cargo mission to the ISS. After delivering supplies, it continued with a long free-flight phase, demonstrating the ability to support extended missions.
SEAM 2.0
3U scientific CubeSat weighing approximately 3 kg, developed as a platform for future small European scientific missions. It is designed with particular attention to magnetic cleanliness, to reduce interference generated by the satellite and precisely measure electric and magnetic fields in the ionosphere and magnetosphere. It is successfully launched on 5 July 2019 from Vostochny aboard Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat as part of a rideshare mission with 33 satellites. Kayser Italia participates in subsystem development alongside AAC and ECM.
Bioscience-3
Experiment dedicated to the effects of spaceflight on human vascular smooth muscle cells, which are important for maintaining blood vessel tone. The cells are cultured on the ISS for around three days and subsequently analysed using RNA sequencing. Results published in 2024 reveal changes in the expression of over 4,400 genes, involving numerous processes related to cardiovascular function and suggesting a reduction in the contractile capacity of vascular cells. The flight hardware comprises six KIC containers, each with a KEU-RO developed by Kayser Italia.
SOYUZ-2.1b
Rideshare launch placing SEAM 2.0 into orbit, a 3U scientific CubeSat designed to measure electric and magnetic fields in the ionosphere and validate technologies for future small scientific missions.
NANO
Experiment dedicated to the use of cerium oxide nanoparticles, or nanoceria, as antioxidants to protect cells from the effects of microgravity and oxidative stress. The name derives from Nano Antioxidants. The cells are incubated for six days in KUBIK, comparing microgravity and artificial gravity conditions. Analyses suggest a longer-lasting protective effect than conventional antioxidants; the experiment also produces good-quality samples for RNA sequencing. Kayser participates in ESA’s BIO15 programme, which includes NANO, MME and BioRock, with Michele Balsamo as scientific contact.
NUTRISS
Experiment dedicated to maintaining a balanced body composition during long-duration missions. It studies how to counteract the increase in the ratio of fat mass to lean mass associated with inactivity in microgravity. The protocol uses a bioimpedance analyser, monthly measurements and consultation with the nutritional team on Earth to update dietary and exercise recommendations. The hardware is launched on Cygnus NG-11 on 17 April 2019 and the experiment is activated by Luca Parmitano on 24 July during the Beyond mission. The Principal Investigator is Gianni Biolo of the University of Trieste.