2021
Space milestones
BIOFILMS arrives on the Space Station
Twenty-four experimental units developed by Kayser reach the ISS aboard SpaceX CRS-23. The experiment studies biofilm growth on metal surfaces in microgravity and the ability of different materials to limit its formation, an important topic for space habitats occupied for long periods.
Research targets safer space habitats
Prolonged stays in space require safe, reliable environments. Studying microorganisms and their interaction with materials contributes to protecting crews and onboard systems.
The James Webb Space Telescope leaves Earth
On 25 December, the telescope is launched aboard an Ariane 5 and begins its journey towards the L2 Lagrange point. The mission opens new prospects for observing the Universe in infrared.
Missions & Payloads
BIOFILMS MISSION 1
ESA/DLR experiment dedicated to studying materials and surface treatments capable of limiting bacterial biofilm formation on space infrastructure. It uses stainless steel, copper and brass coupons with conventional or laser-microstructured surfaces. The samples are inoculated with microorganisms to compare their adhesion and biofilm formation, investigating whether particular surface geometries can hinder these processes. The first campaign is launched on SpaceX CRS-23 on 29 August 2021 and uses 24 experimental units in the ISS KUBIK-5 and KUBIK-6 incubators.
SpaceX CRS-23
Dragon capsule cargo mission to the International Space Station. It transports supplies, hardware and scientific experiments and returns samples and materials to Earth for laboratory analysis.
CYTOSKELETON
ESA experiment dedicated to studying the effects of microgravity on the cytoskeleton and the mechanisms by which cells sense mechanical forces. It includes molecular analyses of cellular stress and senescence processes. It uses automated cultures of human MG-63 cells, similar to osteoblasts, with activation and fixation in orbit. It compares samples maintained in microgravity with control samples subjected to 1 g by a centrifuge aboard the ISS. It is launched on SpaceX CRS-24 on 21 December 2021 and conducted in ESA’s Biolab facility.
SpaceX CRS-24
Dragon capsule cargo mission to the International Space Station. It delivers experiments, equipment and supplies and returns scientific samples and hardware to Earth.