Biotechnological research on ISS Russian Segment
GCF-Â Experiment
GCF-Â experiment is a part of the science research activities to be performed aboard the ISS RS by Frank de Winne, ESA astronaut of Belgian nationality in
the frame of the ODISSEA Project. The European Space Agency and Belgian Federal Office for Scientific,
Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC) are customers of the preparation and implementation of the scientific program.
Objective:
Growth of crystals of biological macromolecules by counter-diffusion crystallisation technique in space flight. Comparison of quality of crystals grown
in space and on ground.
Task:
Verification of results of the first flight GCF experiment that was performed during the second Russian visiting
crew VC-2 mission in October 2001 with the Andromede Project.
Science Hardware Used:
- Transport container GCF-01;
- Crystallization facility GCF-02, including 23 GCBs accommodating capillaries (6 items in each GCB) with protein solutions.
Experiment Results:
Grown protein crystals located in crystallization facility GCF-02.