Over the past decade the space life science has made a great progress and the results obtained have had an unimaginable influence on the current way of perceiving the role of gravity at all levels of life. The experiments in the absence of gravity have in fact contributed to a revocation of many established theories concerning nature phenomena (like mechanics of dynamic behaviour in animal and plant systems). They have also created some new doubts and questions that are still waiting to be resolved.

Apart from typical physical experiments, those related to the field of physiology and biology are now of great interest among the scientists all over the world. The tolerance of higher organisms to microgravity even for longer periods of time has been discovered some time ago. However it has been proved that the exposure to microgravity conditions doesn’t pass imperceptibly and has its influence on the organisms. There are effects that can occur within minutes like disorientation towards up and down or rapid displacements of body fluids form the lower parts to throat and head. But only very long periods of exposure to microgravity can really provoke serious changes and long-term effects such as decrease on muscle mass and strength, cardiovascular deconditioning, loss of bone minerals or degradation of their structure or changes in neuro-sensory and neuro-vestibular adaptation. That is the reason why the experiments carried out in the absence of gravity are so important, as all the diseases mentioned are detectable and observable in much shorter periods of time than they can be observed on Earth.

What is more, experiments in the absence of weight give us an opportunity to discover how the materials and technologies act and react in the extreme conditions. We are able to simplify the utilization of infocomucational equipment, make it more compact and useful for astronauts working in zero-g conditions as well as for the disabled and ordinary people using household appliances or computers.

The experiments in microgravity will let us find an easier way to fight osteoporosis, cardio-pulmonary insufficiency, mobility and balance disorders or other pathologies like those related to dysfunctions in the peripheral nervous system interactions. Thanks to SpaceLand we will figure out how stem cells can be used for more effective reconstruction of tissues, organs (also heart) and bones, which in fact leads to an exploration of new treatments for the diseases until now considered incurable. These results can justify the investments that have been made starting from the first flight of Yuri Gagarin till now.

That is how scientists, technicians, students and laymen meet on board during our missions and gain the experience of their lives, live extraordinary adventure, at the limits of knowledge.

The involvement of people who are not members of the specific scientific circle, made it possible for the Association to point out issues which will remain revolutionary in the history of world’s scientific research. The first non-gov. mission in April 2005 involved 10 laymen, a disabled lady as the first person with physical disability flying in zero-g conditions, an 86-year-old who has bitten the World’s Guiness Record as the oldest man ever in microgravity. Those two have contributed to the research carried out on board as they tested the diagnostic equipment and appliances in this way giving the data information normally possible to obtain only during huge space missions.

In fact, in our next mission in April will take part a retired employee of the FIAT, 93-years-old Cesare Massano, who is going to set a new record. He will be wearing a special textile system measuring physical conditions and giving information about his state during the flight.

Experiments and scientific research on board The scientists involved in the SpaceLand programs have tested and approved during the previous missions the following pieces of equipment:

• FACE mouse AIDA from Modena: (control system of the computer without manual help) operated by Elma Shippa, the first disabled woman to fly in microgravity with co participation and help from Regione Toscana, Provincia di Arezzo and Comune Cortona
• MagIC form the Bioengineering Center of the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation from Milan (special textile system measuring vital parameters worn by the members of the crew)
• SpaceLand GPS
• Acupressure as countermeasure for space sickness
• MARVP Muscular Atrophy Prevention and Recovery through visual proprioception
• Bone densitometer – measuring the degree of bone decalcification
• Multiparametral monitor

The apparatus both biomedical and technological installed and used on board is supplied by Cliniche Ospedaliere of Turin, Bioengineering Center of the Foundation Don Gnocchi in Milan, Politechnics of Turin, AIDA group of Modena, Universita’ di Scienze Motorie di Torino, Sparco (tests on high technology clothing) and so on.

During the previous missions we managed to arrive to 40 parabolas in the absence of gravity which made possible to carry out more efficient tests, analysis and demonstrations.