CREST joins the European Space Agency’s ground-based facilities network
The ULB Centre for Research and Engineering in Space Technology (CREST) has officially become part of the European Space Agency (ESA)’s CORA Ground-Based Facilities (CORA-GBF) - a major milestone for space research in Belgium and Europe.
The CREST, under the leadership of Dr Carlo Saverio Iorio, is a ULB research centre part of the Aero-Thermo-Mechanics Department of the Ecole polytechnique de Bruxelles dedicated to advancing space science and space technologies for the benefit of humankind. Driven by a vision of space exploration as a catalyst for space research and innovation, CREST believes that by reaching for the stars, we advance research and technology not only to enable human outposts on other planets, but also to develop new solutions that improve healthcare, energy efficiency, sustainability, and the well-being of people on Earth.
CREST’s facilities (CRESTLAB @CREST) enable researchers to simulate lunar and Martian conditions, in order to explore and better understand how life and materials behave beyond Earth. From cell cultures and plant biology to materials testing and engineering prototypes, CRESTLAB offers a unique environment supported by CREST’s team of experts, connecting space research and Earth-based innovation.
By becoming part of ESA’s CORA-GBF, CREST joins a network of facilities where scientists are able to conduct ground-based experiments to investigate how space environments affect humans, biological systems and materials – paving the way for safer and more sustainable space exploration.
This achievement strengthens CREST’s role as a driving force for space technology and applied research in Europe, supporting researchers and industries in designing and conducting pioneering experiments. CREST is where ideas become experiments — and experiments become seeds for life to thrive beyond Earth.
Interested in collaborating or accessing CREST’s facilities and expertise?
@Source : ULB
