BASSETERRE – Nevis students and teachers, led by Swiss-Nevisian scientist Oliver Ullrich in partnership with the Ministry of Education, have designed and built flight hardware for a microgravity experiment launching aboard a suborbital rocket in May 2026 from Sweden’s Esrange Space Center.
The initiative connects Nevis classrooms to international space research, building on prior work from the Space Genomics study that examined gravity’s impact on gene expression during a polar orbital mission.
This mission, operated by SSC Space in Kiruna, Sweden, will test the same scientific question in a brief microgravity window.
A key achievement is the establishment of a fully equipped cell biology lab on Nevis, enabling students to shift from theory to hands-on practice in real space projects.
Ullrich’s program empowers local educators and youth to contribute directly to global science. This classroom-to-space initiative links Nevis to the international space research community.
The project fosters practical skills and inspires future scientists in St. Kitts and Nevis, marking a milestone in regional space education.