About research in space

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ESA / Science & Exploration / Human and Robotic Exploration / Research

Gravity affects everything we do on Earth but we know surprisingly
little about how it works and how it affects life. Until recently scientists
had no way of experimenting without gravity to understand what life
would be like without it.

About research in space

Orbiting our planet in an extended free-fall, astronauts on the International Space

Station live in microgravity. Through the astronauts up there, scientists are conducting

pioneering investigations, testing theories, and pushing the boundaries of our

knowledge.

Research in space improves our life on Earth. Space research brings knowledge,

discoveries, improvements to our daily life and – one day – the daily lives of explorers of

our solar system.

Exploring nature
Fluorescent microscopic view of bone cancer cells
The studies of life and physical sciences in space are well established fields that

complement terrestrial research programmes.

Biology, physiology, fluid physics and combustion, material sciences, fundamental

physics and  astrobiology are all studied in space, observing how gravity affects basic

phenomena on Earth and expanding our knowledge of the world around us.

Improving health
Bedsuit
Space offers unique possibilities to study health problems related to diseases, ageing

and immobility.

Research focuses on osteoporosis, muscle atrophy and nutrition, and tries to

understand the effects of physiological adaptations for health and safety and ways to
counteract unwanted changes in the human body. Spaceflight is a driving force behind

developing advanced medical instruments for monitoring and diagnostics.

Innovating technologies

Microgravity flame
Studies in weightlessness can reveal properties that are important for energy production

or environmental protection. Space research has already increased knowledge on

combustion, liquids in porous substances and how dust particles behave.

These studies are expected to lead to low-pollution high-efficiency combustion for

power plants, aircraft and cars, as well as  improved crude oil-recovery and innovative

air and water purification techniques. Increased knowledge of life-support technology

used in spaceflight  will make our diets safer.

Caring for the environment

Studies in weightlessness can reveal properties that are important for energy production

or environmental protection. Space research has already increased knowledge on

combustion, liquids in porous substances and how dust particles behave.

These studies are expected to lead to low-pollution high-efficiency combustion in for

power plants, aircraft and cars as well as improved crude oil-recovery and innovative air

and water purification techniques. Increased knowledge of life-support technology used

in spaceflight will make our diets safer.

Earth glinting in the sun