[polish version here / polska wersja]
Developed by Extremo Technologies and implemented aboard the International Space Station in cooperation with ICE Cubes Service, the biotechnology experiment Space Volcanic Algae, carried out under POLSA/ESA, investigates the potential of using red microalgae from volcanic environments in the space conditions.
The aim is to examine how well they adapt and function in microgravity and cosmic radiation. At the same time, a newly designed sensor is being tested, measuring the amount of oxygen produced by the algae during photosynthesis. The experiment was conducted in a special, fully automated “cube” designed by Extremo (ET Cube), which was installed in the ICE Cubes facility inside the Columbus module by astronaut Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski as part of the Polish mission IGNIS and the Axiom-4 flight.
The Space Volcanic Algae experiment studies the survival and adaptation of extremophilic volcanic microalgae to microgravity and space conditions. The results of the ISS microalgae experiments will be crucial for future human space exploration, including future missions to the Moon, especially in the context of closed-loop systems (space habitation) and space medicine.
The aim of our experiments is to send such microorganisms, in our case they are microalgae from volcanic areas, having unique adaptive features. Testing them for resistance in conditions of microgravity and cosmic radiation will allow for a better understanding of their functioning in many stress factors at the same time. Moreover, the primary goal of our project is to investigate oxygen production, as the proposed algae exhibit intensive photosynthesis, and thus produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.
Extremophilic organisms play and will continue to play a key role in space travel, including long-term space travel. Their extraordinary adaptive properties and resistance to many variable factors constitute the basis for believing that they are the best solution for use in closed circuit and life support systems.
Objectives:
The primary objectives of the Space Volcanic Algae experiment are:
- Adaptation and Growth: To study how volcanic algae adapt to the microgravity conditions and radiation levels in space.
- Bioregenerative Life Support: To evaluate the effectiveness of volcanic algae in performing crucial life support functions, such as CO2 sequestration and O2 production, in closed-loop systems aboard spacecraft
Project team:
Extremo Technologies:
Ewa Borowska (Principal Investigator and Scientist), Wiktoria Dziadula (Project Manager), Weronika Urbańska (Scientist);
MSc. Eng.
Ewa Borowska
Principal Investigator and Scientist
MSc. Eng. arch.
Wiktoria Dziadula
Project Manager
PhD
Weronika Urbańska
Scientist
Mateusz Wrazidło (Engineer);
University of Tartu: Mihkel Pajusalu, Mathias Plans, Mattias Avi, Sten Salumets and Laila Kaasik;
Wroclaw University of Science and Technology: Karol Leluk, PhD
ALS LEDs, DAB
Hightlighted articles:
YouTube – Space Volcanic Algae – Video by Polish Ministry of Development and Technology
Polish Experiments to ISS – Polish Space Agency
Polskie eksperymenty będą realizowane na pokładzie Międzynarodowej Stacji Kosmicznej – Ministry of Technology and Development
Space Volcanic Algae – Axiom Space Research Overview
Ax-4 to Advance Poland’s Ambitious Space Research Initiatives
Science in Poland – Polish algae experiment to be carried out on ISS
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