Experiments from the Faculty of Agronomy to Be Part of Czech Astronaut’s Mission
A total of three research experiments from the Faculty of Agronomy at Mendel University in Brno (MENDELU) will be part of Czech astronaut Aleš Svoboda’s space mission, conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry. One of the experiments will focus on monitoring astronaut stress levels, while the other two will observe microalgae under space conditions. The mission is planned for late 2027 to early 2028. On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Czech government approved a two-billion-crown budget for the mission, to be funded through the European Space Agency (ESA). Fourteen research experiments have already been selected for the mission.
The astronaut’s stress levels will be monitored by Lukáš Nejdl’s team, in collaboration with Brno University of Technology and the startup Lightly Technologies s.r.o. “The goal is to create a so-called digital twin using physico-chemical methods. This is a virtual model processed by artificial intelligence based on precisely measured data that we will collect. The model will predict changes in cognitive functions, such as those caused by sleep deprivation,” explained Lukáš Nejdl, the project lead from the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Scientific research so far has shown that stress has a significant impact on cognitive functions in all individuals. Data will be collected using sensors in a smartwatch and a special vest. The chemists’ task will be to analyze the astronaut’s saliva. “We will focus on cortisol, as well as five to ten other biological markers that change dramatically in response to stress,” Nejdl added.
The other two experiments on Aleš Svoboda’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will focus on microalgae. Researchers aim to study biofilm formation during microalgae cultivation in space and determine the limits of their survival in extreme conditions. “Together with the company S.A.B. Aerospace, we plan to design and test a special microbioreactor that minimizes biofilm formation. If biofilms do form during cultivation, we’ll analyze their composition and structure. Once the microalgae return from space, we’ll conduct molecular analysis to examine their gene expression and secondary metabolite production,” said project lead Katarína Molnárová.
The second project focuses on the microalga Desmodesmus armatus, which has been found to survive very high concentrations of perchlorates. “Perchlorates were once thought to be a major obstacle to life on Mars. However, this microalga is an extremophile, and there are other organisms capable of surviving Martian perchlorate concentrations. So it’s possible perchlorates might not be such a problem after all,” Molnárová explained.
Until now, this research has only been conducted on Earth under optimal conditions. “We’re interested in whether the microalga can also survive additional stress factors such as radiation and microgravity. At the same time, this species is used in wastewater treatment to remove heavy metals, and we want to see if it retains these properties in space,” Molnárová added. This project will be carried out in cooperation with the Polish company Extremo Technologies.
Contact for more information:
Czech Aerospace Research Institute – Research Team: Mendel University – CAERPIN