The Dawn of a New Space Era: Swiss-Nevisian Partnership Embarks on Historic Polar Space Mission
Picture: Vehicle Pilot Rabea Rogge during mission training (source: fram 2 crew)
On March 31, 2025 on 11:20 p.m. EDT (April 1st on 4:20 am CET), the research project “Space Genomics” by the University of Zurich (UZH) Space Hub, partner of the Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA), and the Ministry of Education of Nevis (MOE) in the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will be launched aboard Fram2, the first human spaceflight mission to a polar orbit. Comprised of four astronauts, the Fram2 Space mission will conduct 22 research experiments along a polar trajectory, including one from Switzerland and Nevis. During the spaceflight, Vehicle Pilot Rabea Rogge is responsible for the joint experiment. Rabea Rogge, a former student at ETH Zurich, was actively involved for a long time at the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, where she tested a small satellite during the 6th Swiss Parabolic Flight Campaign of the UZH Space Hub. Now, she executes the joint Swiss-Nevisian experiment in space.
This Swiss-Nevisian research explores the vital role of genomic architecture and adaptive mechanisms enabling human survival and adaptation in space. Dynamic chromatin, which allows for the production of different phenotypes from the same genome, was recently identified by Dr. Cora Thiel and Prof. Oliver Ullrich from the UZH Space Hub as key factors in how gene expression is influenced by gravitational forces. The new study aims to uncover the potential or limitations for long-term, environment-driven adaptations that could one day support sustained human life across planets. The UZH-part of this project is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI.
Trailblazer mission in various respects
The Fram2 flight marks a historic event in many respects. It is the first human spaceflight over the polar regions. Moreover, the time from experiment approval to launch was less than five months - a contrast to the many years typically required by government agencies. The UZH Space Hub was able to adhere to this short lead time effortlessly thanks to a proven system of off-the-shelf hardware, tested procedures, and mission-ready labs at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This demonstrates that the UZH Space Hub is well-prepared for the new era of the space economy, where faster and more cost-effective access to low-Earth orbit will significantly boost R&D, even for countries that have not had access to space before.
In the new space economy, innovative spirit, talents, and entrepreneurship outweights the size of a country. Therefore, the UZH Space Hub is proud to collaborate with the Ministry of Education of Nevis from the island state of St. Kitts and Nevis. As one of the smallest nations worldwide, it has recognized the significance of space in fostering skills in STEM subjects and in the overall development of the country. “Nevis maintains an excellent standard in education and pursues a very far-sighted and sustainable development strategy. I am very proud to work with our partners and believe that this partnership holds great potential. A new era dawns, a time when space unfolds to all humanity.” says Prof. Oliver Ullrich, Director of UZH Space Hub and Chairman Director of the CSA, on this collaboration. The space experiments – on this and further missions - conducted jointly with UZH Space Hub contribute to the STEM education of students and integrate into the regular student curriculum as an education asset, potentially serving as a role model for other countries. “The Ministry of Education, Nevis is pleased to partner with the University of Zurich (UZH) Space Hub on this groundbreaking initiative. We believe that the exposure will provide much value to our teachers and students and the entire education system" says Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education - Nevis, Miss Zahnela Claxton. Also, the composition of the crew of the Fram2 mission reflects the new era. It includes not only citizens of "big" spacefaring nations but also from smaller countries such as Norway, Malta, and St. Kitts and Nevis. “It is precisely the synthesis of our diverse minds, our histories, our experiences, and our people, where the greatest potential for discovery lies.”, concludes Prof. Elisabeth Stark, Vice President Research of the University of Zurich.
Contact:
Zahnela D. Claxton |
About Fram2: Fram2 is the first polar-orbit human spaceflight mission designed to explore the polar regions of Earth in an entirely new way. It is named after the Fram ship, which was built in the 1800s and helped explorers first reach the Earth’s polar regions. Fram is Norwegian for “Forward” and was the name of the legendary ship designed to function in the icy polar waters used by some of the first crews to explore the Arctic in the late 1800s. The Fram2 crew consists of Mission Commander Chun Wang, Vehicle Commander Jannicke Mikkelsen, Mission Pilot Rabea Rogge, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Eric Philips. Each crewmember has significant experience exploring and capturing the polar regions and brings a unique expertise and perspective to support Fram2. Fram2 has two main goals: to be the first crew to view and capture the Earth’s polar regions from low-Earth orbit and conduct research to help advance humanity’s capabilities for long-range space exploration. The 3-5 day mission takes place on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
About Nevis: Nevis is a small island in the Caribbean Sea, part of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, located near the northern part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago and southeast of Puerto Rico. With a population of just over 12,000, Nevis has an educated, professional and friendly workforce ready to take on challenges in industries that are already present or beginning to take root. Nevis is situated in the heart of CARICOM market with access to over 16 million people. Nevis is committed to the further development of the digital economy to increase growth and create future-proof investment opportunities, has an economically and politically stable jurisdiction, favorable business tax concessions, flexible legislations, solid privacy laws and a qualified workforce. A robust legal framework based on English Common Law ensures legal compliance and upholding of democratic processes (More: Nevis Investment Promotion Agency, www.investnevis.org)
About the UZH Space Hub: The UZH Space Hub, established in 2018 by the University of Zurich Innovation Hub alongside the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, plays a key role in space innovation, coinciding with the airfield area transformation in Dübendorf. The hub focuses on areas like Earth observation, biotechnology, astrophysics, and green aviation. It is a member of the Swiss Aerospace Cluster (SAC) and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), collaborating extensively with NASA and ESA. The hub operates facilities at the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, UZH's Irchel Campus, and Space Florida at the Kennedy Space Center.
About the Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA): In 2024, leading institutions from the Greater Zurich Area and the Rhine Valley merged their space expertise to establish the CSA. This federal foundation, under the strategic direction of the Zurich cantonal government's decision on Space as a cantonal flagship, aims to advance the New Space Economy through a unified approach. The CSA integrates the following institutions as partners: 1.) Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation, University of Zurich (UZH Space Hub), 2.) Center for Aviation and Space Competence, University of St. Gallen (CFAC-HSG), 3.) National Center for Biomedical Research in Space, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (NCBRS-HSLU), 4.) Swiss SkyLab Foundation as the Civil Research Flight Facility at Dübendorf Airfield, 5.) Aeromedical Institute of the Swiss Air Force (FAI), 6.) Space Affairs Department of the Administration of the Principality of Liechtenstein, 7.) Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (UFL) and 8.) Canton of Zurich, Department for Economic Affairs, supported by the Switzerland Innovation Park Zürich for the infrastructural and economic development.