News

The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) set off into space aboard a Soyuz 704A spacecraft on 19 December and will have an E-Nose from Airsense on board. This special ‘E-Nose’, will measure the crew’s exposure to bacteria and fungi in the Russian segment of the space station.

The ISS - Nose is a German Aerospace Center (DLR) project, with Astrium as prime contractor and Airsense as the manufacturer of the technology of the E-Nose. In a three-year project, the technique has been adapted to the measurement problem. Astrium was responsible for modification of the technology for use in space.

Statement from the Astrium homepage:
E-Nose will detect microbiological hazards from bacterial and fungal cultures using qualitative and quantitative methods. Monitoring is essential as excessive exposure to fungi and bacteria poses a not inconsiderable risk to both the on-board technology and the health of the crew. This specially developed analytical instrument allows cosmonauts to carry out measurements in every location of the ISS Service Module.
» Read more