Belgian astronaut Raphaël Liégeois will undertake three innovative scientific experiments during his first mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2026, the Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) announced on Monday.
The experiments, selected by BELSPO with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), aim to advance knowledge in fields ranging from biology to quantum physics.
Liégeois, who was officially selected as a member of ESA’s astronaut corps in 2022, will play a pivotal role in carrying out research developed by leading Belgian institutions.
Each of the three projects explores fundamental questions about life, resilience, and chemistry under the unique conditions of space.
One of the experiments, called ‘BeBlob’, is spearheaded by the University of Namur. It will focus on the extraordinary properties of Physarum polycephalum, a highly resilient slime mould known for its regenerative capabilities.
Researchers hope to observe how the organism responds to extreme space conditions, such as dehydration and radiation.
By studying how the blob repairs its DNA and copes with cellular stress, scientists aim to deepen our understanding of biological resilience and potential strategies for protecting life in space environments.
Meanwhile, a consortium comprising UCLouvain, the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, and UHasselt is behind the second experiment, ‘Oscar-Blinq’.
This project will test a quantum sensor platform built with (nano)diamonds, offering a revolutionary method to study chemical reactions in microgravity.
According to BELSPO, this technology could enhance future space missions by providing new insights into how chemical processes behave without the influence of Earth’s gravity, potentially paving the way for advanced materials and chemical manufacturing in orbit.
The third experiment, ‘Astromy’, developed by the VIB-UGent research center, will explore the effects of microgravity on maize growth.
By investigating the genetic mechanisms that regulate cell development in the plant’s aerial parts, scientists hope to better understand how crops adapt to extreme environments.
The findings could have significant implications not only for future space agriculture but also for improving crop resilience on Earth as climate change poses growing challenges to global food security.
“These experiments demonstrate Belgium’s scientific excellence and commitment to contributing to international space research,” BELSPO said in a statement.
“They offer crucial insights into resilience, quantum sensing, and sustainable agriculture — three fields of great importance both on Earth and beyond.”
Liégeois, a trained biomedical engineer and neuroscientist, has expressed enthusiasm about his upcoming mission.
“It’s a tremendous honor to carry these Belgian projects into orbit,” he said during a recent event. “Space offers a unique laboratory for answering fundamental scientific questions that have real-world applications.”
The experiments are expected to be launched with Liégeois aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of a six-month ISS mission scheduled for 2026.
As preparations ramp up, Belgian scientists and engineers are finalizing the experimental hardware to meet the rigorous demands of spaceflight.
If successful, the mission could mark a major milestone in Belgium’s contribution to international space exploration and scientific discovery.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
