Experiment SAMPLE is a part of the scientific research program to be conducted by ESA astronaut of the Dutch nationality Andre Kuipers onboard the ISS RS in the frame of DSM Delta Project. The European Space Agency is a customer of the preparation and implementation of the research program.

USED SCIENCE HARDWARE:

• SAMPLE Collection Kit
  including SAMPLE sub-packs to take samples from various surfaces (computers, "walls", "personal cabins", technical equipment, etc.) and from the astronaut.

• SAMPLE Specimen Case
  filled with biological objects.

• KUBIK TOPAZ container, a thermally insulated container (incubator) for stowage of partial samples before the download.

PURPOSES:

• Evaluate microbial species, which might inhabit the ISS.
• Investigate the mechanism of microbial adaptation to micro-gravity.

OBJECTIVES:

• Microbial sampling from the Dutch astronaut and various surfaces on the ISS RS for further strains isolation and investigation of their adhesion abilities
• Exposure of Escherichia coli on ISS RS during VC-6.

EXPERIMENT RESULTS:

Microbial samples taken on the ISS RS, and biological objects which were exposed to microgravity conditions.