BIFRÖST

What is REXUS?

The REXUS/BEXUS programme enables European student teams to design and launch experiments on sounding rockets and high-altitude balloons. Each year, two rockets and two balloons carry up to 20 student-built experiments, providing a unique platform for scientific and technological research in near-space conditions. The programme is managed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA), with support from the European Space Agency (ESA) and launches from Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden.

What is BIFRÖST?

BIFRÖST will investigate the initial attachment of bacterial cells to spacecraft-relevant surfaces under reduced gravity, using the REXUS rocket platform. Our aim is to advance understanding of microbial adhesion in space, supporting safer and more reliable life-support systems for future missions.

Mission outline:

Prepare samples of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, Viton, and titanium (materials found in spacecraft systems) before flight.
Release the bacterial suspension into the observation chamber as soon as reduced gravity is detected on the REXUS flight.
Perform fluorescence imaging to monitor the initial bacterial attachment to these surfaces in real time.
Inject a chemical fixative to inactivate and preserve the samples for safe post-flight analysis.
After recovery, analyze the samples through microscopy and statistical methods to assess bacterial adhesion under microgravity conditions.