There are eight experiments conceived and designed in Italy that astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will have to conduct aboard the International Space Station during the period of stay of the “Minerva” mission. Among these, one concerns the extra virgin olive oil, of which several bottles have been shipped to the space. “The oil already on Earth fears some enemies such as oxygen, heat and light. We want to understand if the degradation in Space is faster or slower, which is to be discovered”, explained the director of Unaprol Nicola Di Boredom. Another significant experiment is “Ovospace” of the La Sapienza University of Rome. In this case, some bovine ovarian cells will be sent to the ISS to observe if the space environment produces changes that make fertilization sterile, so as to be able to begin to give the first answers to the question of whether humans are able to reproduce in space. . For the experiment, a micro-laboratory measuring just 20 centimeters in size will be used, which was entirely developed in Italy by the Campania-based company Ali.
by Francesco Giovannetti