Ing. Irena Brányiková, Ph.D. (Research Group of Algal and Microbial Biotechnology, ICPF) and Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jaroslav Kousal, Ph.D. (Institute of Aerospace Engineering, CTU), representatives of the METRO experiment research team, photo by Ing. Jan Čížek
The METRO experiment, designed by scientists from the Research Group of Algal and Microbial Biotechnology at the ICPF of the CAS, in collaboration with experts from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Czech Technical University (ČVUT), has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic as one of fourteen projects to be carried out during the mission of Czech astronaut Aleš Svoboda aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The goal of the experiment is to investigate, under microgravity (weightlessness) conditions, the behavior of fluids (algal culture medium) and gases (ISS atmosphere), the mass transfer between them, and their influence on the growth of microalgae—particularly the production of oxygen and biomass, and the uptake of carbon dioxide. “During the planned experiment, we aim to collect data that will enable the future design of photobioreactors capable of providing oxygen regeneration and a food source for the crew during long-term space missions. These systems would function in a closed cycle with only energy input required—without the need for continuous resupply, as is currently the case,“ says Ing. Irena Brányiková, Ph.D., principal investigator of the METRO experiment.
For more information:
AV ČR press release (in Czech)
Czech Space Portal (in Czech)
Petra Dvořáková
External PR Manager
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the CAS
Email: pet.dvorakova@seznam.cz
Phone: +420 606 147 074