VSB-TUO sends Science to Space Projects Head to the International Space Station

There was great interest in the possibility to carry out scientific research, test new technologies and carry out educational activities on board the ISS. The projects were first evaluated by experts from the European Space Agency (ESA). Representatives of the Ministry of Transport in cooperation with other departments then selected the best ones. Of the fourteen selected experiments that will be part of the historical Czech participation on the ISS, two are from VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava.

"We applied for two projects and both succeeded. This is a huge award for us, especially in view of the strong competition,” said Radek Martinek, vice-dean for science and research at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, university coordinator for space research and member of the consortium CAERPIN (Czech Aerospace Research Institute).

The experiments mostly concern basic research, but will subsequently bring benefits for both space and ground use. The first project, the Czech Orbital Nanomorobotic Experiment (CONREX), focuses on testing the behaviour of magnetic nanorobots in a microgravity environment. “A better understanding of their functioning in this environment can bring progress in areas such as medicine or technology for long-term space missions,” explained Martin Pumera, head of the Advanced Nanorobots & Multiscale RoboticLaboratory research group at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics.

The second project focuses on measuring the stress of astronauts using voice and sensor data analysis. "The unique conditions on the ISS, microgravity, enclosed environment and psychological stress will allow us to verify our method for measuring stress. The results can be beneficial not only for astronauts but also for workers in demanding professions here on Earth," said Radek Martinek, describing a project on which scientists from Ostrava are collaborating with experts from Masaryk University in Brno.

Some experiments will head into orbit before the launch of the Aleš Svoboda mission, others will fly directly with him. The Ministry of Transport will now submit a list of approved projects to ESA, which will then conclude implementation contracts with their authors. "The production of the experiments needs to start as soon as possible, so that the first instruments are ready to be carried to the ISS in 2027. This means even before the mission of Aleš Svoboda, which we expect at the turn of 2027 and 2028," said Transport Minister Martin Kupka.

The successful experiments are part of the long-term programme Czech Space Journey, which aims to open the door to cutting-edge space research for Czech science and industry. In addition to technological and economic benefits, the project also wants to draw attention to the importance of technical and natural sciences and inspire the young generation to study them.