Presentation of CADMOS
In this CNES operational structure, scientists can prepare and realize a large variety of experiments in microgravity, on board the International Space Station (ISS), the Airbus A 300 Zero-G and automated capsules.
Expert would say that CADMOS is an exploitation, operation and mission center for science in space.
It has been located in the Toulouse space center since it was created in 1993, initially for the purposes of French missions on board the MIR orbital station. It is, however, thanks to its legacy of manned flight monitoring that its scientific and operational expertise is recognized nowadays. It was indeed selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1998 to become one of the 9 USOC’s (Users Support & Operational Centre), aiming to help the users of the International Space Station.
ESA has also entrusted CADMOS with the exploitation of the EPM (European Physiological Module), MARES (Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System) and ACES (Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space) instruments, on board the ISS.
Besides, CADMOS has preserved its role of a center for the development and the operation of French experiments and experiments in collaboration, especially with Russia and the United States.
Its field of expertise is now covering missions on board the ISS and the Airbus A310 Zero-G, for which it ensures the development, validation and operational monitoring of French and global experiments.
The main scientific fields that are addressed are (especially cardiovascular) physiology, biology and exobiology, astrophysics, neurosciences, physics of fluids, condensed-matter sciences and technologies.
Although the exploited experiments primarily concern fundamental research to advance knowledge, many of them have or are bond to have public practical applications. It is for instance the case for medical device miniaturization (bone densitometer, ultrasound system), innovative production techniques for steel, chemical and electrical industries, waste disposal with the use of supercritical fluids and even prescription to some patients of diets that are specifically designed for astronauts.
The following pages will help you deepen this quick overview of CADMOS through its history, its role, the means made available to science and the description of past missions.
