CBSE Awarded PCG Contract

Wednesday, March 23, 2012
CBSE scientists will demonstrate the scientific and commercial value for protein crystallization on a long-duration microgravity mission. This will be accomplished using CBSE
MERLIN_with_HDPCG_Trays
Protein Crystal Growth Hardware System Installed in MERLIN Hardware
Engineering flight hardware to grow high-value proteins whose structures are difficult to be determined through ground-based methods.

The hardware will include use of two MERLIN refrigerator-incubators that will be installed within an EXPRESS Rack on ISS for three months to maintain desired temperatures of +22 C and +4 C. CBSE Engineering will provide verification, integration, and launch and landing support services for the hardware that will be used aboard the ISS.

The protein crystal growth mission is projected to launch on SpaceX's SpX-3 mission and land on SpX-4 in calendar year 2013.