Cryosystem

The Cryosystem is an ultra-low-temperature facility for supporting life-sciences payloads in space. It brings together a unique set of facilities for the optimal preparation, preservation and storage of biological samples and protein crystals at cryogenic temperatures. Thanks to its ultra-rapid cooling capability and its relatively large cold volume, it will provide a great improvement in the quality and quantity of science investigations in the fields of life sciences, physiology and biotechnology. The Cryosystem will complete in the ultra-low temperature field (-180 degrees C) the range of freezers provided by ESA to NASA for use on board the International Space Station (ISS), the other two systems being MELFI working in the temperature range from +4 to -80 degrees C, and the Crew Refrigerator covering the range from +4 to -26 degrees C.