Europe's ISS Columbus Laboratory: Five Years Science in Space

A variety of scientific results were achieved thanks to now 5 years of experiments aboard the European Columbus laboratory module attached to the International Space Station. By now, 110 ESA-led experiments involving some 500 scientists have been conducted since 2008, spanning fluid physics, material sciences, radiation physics, the Sun, the human body, biology and astrobiology.

The Space Station allows researchers to "turn off' gravity and perform experiments in space over long periods, revealing the inner workings of natural phenomena.

"We focus research on achieving scientific discoveries, developing applications and benefitting people on Earth while preparing for future space exploration," explains Martin Zell, responsible for ESA's utilisation of the European orbital laboratory.

Studying colloids - tiny particles in liquids - is an area of research that is especially hindered by gravity. Colloids are found in many liquids such as milk, paint and even in our bodies, yet they are so small you need an electron microscope to study them. At this scale, gravity will always influence the results, but in space experiments can be run repeatedly without interference.

A colloid experiment on Columbus has shown how 'quantum forces' can be used to control colloid structures. It confirmed the effect of these forces as predicted theoretically over 30 years ago, but observed for the first time in 2008. The findings are part of the building blocks for creating nanomaterials.

Research inside Columbus is also helping scientists to understand the human body. Astronauts in space absorb more salt without absorbing more fluids - contradicting generally accepted medical knowledge. Apparently it is the high-salt diet that is causing the bone loss observed in astronauts, and not the physical effect of living in weightlessness as it was believed all the time.

In the field of cell research, results might yield progress for longevity by controlling ageing. The Roald biology experiment revealed that certain enzymes in our immune systems are more active in space, pointing scientists on the ground at where to look to combat premature cell death.

Then, there are the Expose experiments mounted on the outside of the Columbus module, with the first series of experiments already yielding the exciting result that living organisms can indeed survive space travel. A number of bacteria, seeds, lichen and algae have been 18 months outside Columbus in space with no protection from the harsh space environment. Afer returning to Earth in 2009, the lichen awoke from their dormant state, highlighting the possibility that life forms could possibly hitch a ride on asteroids to planets.