Experiments get six minutes in weightlessness using a Swedish rocket

The Suborbital Express 3 rocket lifted off Wednesday morning at 8:00 am from Esrange outside of Kiruna. It is the fifteenth in a series of launches from Kiruna that began in 1987.

The missile is called the Mazer missile. Maser stands for Materials Science Experiment Rocket and the rocket program is run by the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC).

On board are twelve different experiences developed by companies and universities from countries around the world. Among other things, a Swedish trial will examine stem cells for diabetes research.

The rocket is sent 260 kilometers into the air and gives the experiments six minutes of microgravity.

It’s easy to study the different mechanisms in microgravity, because gravity often has a strong influence on the experiments we work with. This year’s Suborbital Express campaign contains a load of a dozen experiments from vastly different fields that can give us answers that have a direct impact on life on Earth. It’s great that Sweden and SSC are part of such important research, says Stefan Kramer, who is in charge of the deferment program at press release.

Below are the different experiences

Neurobeta It is a project led by Uppsala University. The experiment takes living stem cells and insulin-producing beta cells into space. By exposing cells to microgravity, researchers hope to get closer to a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Arles It is a Belgian project that includes two experiments. These will investigate how droplets of different liquids behave during evaporation. Among other things, the experiments will vaporize the droplets in microgravity under various conditions, for example by introducing an electric field to see how the droplets are affected.

chip is a German project looking at how electrically charged particles act in space. The goal is to learn more about the formation of planets.

Minnie Irene It is the only experience that does not return to Earth with other experiences. The Italian experiment will create a kind of parachute-like capsule to decelerate in mid-air.

Complete is a Swiss watch company that will test mechanical wristwatches under extreme speeds, g-forces and microgravity.

Meditation A research team led by Costa Rica will try to find answers to questions about Panama disease, a fungus that causes plant diseases on banana plants.

Adi alpha It is an Australian project that brings two experiments into a cube satellite. The first will examine yeast cells and the second a special microfluidic slide.

laboratory on paper It is an experiment that focuses on examining a paper sensor that can be used to detect glucose and antibiotics.

Aurora-1 She won the annual summer competition held by the Young Astronomical Society. The experiment will examine cosmic radiation using a self-built scintillation counter.

Newton It is a project aimed at increasing public awareness of space. Newton would take parts of the fruit trees into space and then plant them around Sweden at various science centers – so everyone could get a taste of the space.