Research Database

ORION is a continuation of an ongoing study from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to understand the effects of microgravity on ovarian cells and investigate the mechanisms of hormone production and modulation in space. This research aims to understand fundamental mechanisms of fertility that could translate into findings to improve the success of fertility treatments on Earth, as well as begin research to understand reproduction off Earth.

Architecture is known to play a crucial role in shaping physical and social environments and have a direct impact on human physical and psychological well-being. This study aims to investigate the effects of architectural settings, as well as its properties on an astronaut’s cognitive performance, stress levels, and stress recovery rate. This activity looks to study the effects between the above-mentioned factors in isolated and confined environments on Earth and in space analog missions, which are similarly observed in the environment of a space station.

PROMETEO II from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) is a continuation of an ongoing study aimed to investigate how exposure to microgravity and space radiation affects cellular response to stress, as well as the neuroprotective effects of nanoparticles based on nanoceria. The results could help develop protective countermeasures for future spaceflight missions and build on efforts to develop therapeutic tools to treat neurodegenerative diseases on Earth.

Astronauts can experience musculoskeletal pain during or after flight, perhaps because the integrity and function of the musculoskeletal system requires the loading provided by gravity. Pain in Space [Microgravity Pain Sensation (Ax-1)] assesses how short-term exposure to microgravity affects pain sensation, biomechanics, bone physiology, and the musculoskeletal system during the Axiom-1 (Ax-1) private astronaut mission (PAM). Results could contribute to improved health and well-being for crews on future missions