In the last ten years, space organisations globally, along with new market players, have made it easier to access space for scientific and technological research. This movement towards making space more accessible has attracted a broader spectrum of scientists who were previously unaware of the possibilities for conducting experiments in space. This growing group includes experts from various fields such as biology, physiology, pharmaceutical chemistry, fluid physics, soft matter, and thermodynamics, although this list is far from complete.
However, many researchers from this broadened community may not completely grasp the intricate requirements for setting up and carrying out space experiments. CRESTLAB has been established to provide an extensive research platform to assist both academic and industrial sectors in designing, preparing, and performing benchmark experiments on Earth, which can then be modified for different space environments—whether it be in microgravity, lunar or Martian gravity, or hyper gravity.
CRESTLAB is structured around four specialized laboratories—Life Sciences, Material Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Data Science—along with two technical workshops. These facilities boast advanced instruments and support services that cover all phases of space experiment planning, from the initial engineering design and breadboard construction to early testing and data analysis.
Along with the technical support offered by our experts at CREST, here is a list of some major equipment available at CRESTLAB to help design space experiments:
VENTI-Line
Brand: VWR
Description: Drying ovens with forced air circulation, which are ideal for routine drying and heating applications when short drying times are required. Ovens feature adjustable ventilation by means of manually adjustable ventilation slide and 50 mm Ø exhaust duct at the rear of the unit.
Main characteristics:
- Microprocessor controller
- Integrated timer can be set for continuous mode or timer operation: 0 to 999 min or 0 to 99,9 h
- Over-temperature protection with visual alarm (Class 3.1 safety device)
- Temperature setting in increments of 1 °C
