Both projects are part of the Czech Path to Space program, implemented by the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA). The program aims to involve Czech universities, research institutions, and companies in prestigious space missions and to inspire the young generation to pursue careers in science.
“The success of our projects proves that Czech teams are capable of conducting world-class research — and that even from Ostrava, it’s possible to send scientific experiments all the way into space,” said Igor Ivan, Rector of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava.
Out of 70 proposed experiments, 13 were selected for further development and preparation of flight-ready versions to be integrated into ISS systems.
CONREX: The First Nanorobots in Space
The Czech Orbital NanoRobots EXperiment (CONREX) will be the world’s first nanorobotics experiment conducted in orbit. Its goal is to test magnetic nanorobots and microrobots as an innovative tool for removing biofilms — resilient microbial communities that pose risks to astronaut health and mission safety. The project also offers significant application potential in cancer therapy, industry, and environmental protection.
“In microgravity, bacteria tend to form stronger biofilms and show higher virulence and resistance to antibiotics. Removing these structures is therefore essential to maintaining a healthy and safe environment aboard the ISS,” explained Professor Martin Pumera, head of the Advanced Nanorobots and Multiscale Robotics Lab at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB–TUO, and the most cited scientist in the Czech Republic.
Nanorobots can mechanically disrupt biofilms and decompose bacterial cells through light-driven reactions. The experiment will take place in the ICE Cubes Facility (ICF), where small cartridges containing water solutions with biofilms and nanorobots will be installed.
“The cartridges will be equipped with coils generating a controlled electromagnetic field to move the robots and LEDs to activate photosensitive microrobots. The entire automated process will be monitored by a camera, and the data will be analyzed by researchers on Earth. Based on the results, they will then adjust the algorithms controlling the nanorobots,” said Professor Radek Martinek, head of the Signal Lab at the Faculty and university coordinator for space research.
The CONREX project bridges nanorobotics, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.
“It represents an extension of our knowledge into a microgravity environment and the first experimental verification of microrobotic behavior in space. The experiment could significantly influence not only the future of space missions but also medicine, industry, and environmental technologies,” added Professor Pumera.
The project also involves TRL Space, a Czech aerospace engineering company responsible for hardware development and system preparation for deployment in space.
“Experts from VSB-TUO know exactly what they want to observe. Our role as a space industry company is to take the entire laboratory experiment and adapt it so that it passes all tests and meets ISS requirements — a process that demands both expertise and precision,” explained Václav Havlíček from TRL Space, who led the project’s preparation for ESA.
The CONREX project represents a unique collaboration between two top research laboratories at VSB-TUO — Signal Lab and Advanced Nanorobots and Multiscale Robotics Lab — and a leading Czech space industry company, TRL Space. This partnership combines excellence in nanorobotics, sensing, and advanced control methods with the technological know-how necessary for implementing experiments in space — marking an important step in strengthening the Czech Republic’s position in European and global space research.
ISS T-shirt: A Smart T-shirt for Monitoring Astronaut Stress
The second project focuses on measuring astronaut stress through sensor data analysis. The ISS T-shirt is being developed jointly by researchers from Masaryk University and VSB-TUO, together with companies EGMEDICAL and G.L. Electronic.
“The smart T-shirt, equipped with integrated sensors, can continuously record physiological parameters in real time, collect and store data, and transmit it to Earth for analysis. The technology has wide application potential — it can help us better understand human responses to stress and strain,” said Professor Radek Martinek, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and head of the Signal Lab team.
“ISS T-shirt connects modern physiology with technologies that monitor the human body and its limits. Our goal is to understand when and why the body crosses the threshold of safe exertion under different conditions — including space — and thereby help people cope with extreme environments not only in space but also on Earth,” added Professor Julie Vašků of Masaryk University, the project’s principal investigator.