The Science Program

Right next to where Mark bears the South African flag, is a badge reading "Cosmonaut". This means that Mark will be doing the one thing which space was always meant to promote: real research with applications back here on Terra Firma.

As part of the preparation for this process is one of finding out from South African scientists which experiments would bring the nation's researchers most value, while still being possible within the restrictions of space.

Applications for projects have now closed, but this information will stay online as both historial and scientific reference.

shortlisted experiments Four experiments have been selected by the panel of high-profile international scientists and luminaries to enter the final round of negotiations. All the planning for those experiments is available here, as will the results be once the entire process is complete. science brief The Original Brief prepared by the First African in Space team. This includes both the invitation for proposals, as well as a set of guides to what it takes to both run an experiment in space and move it there and back. russian proposals In order to provide some kind of context for those experiments, and to give more concrete information about what is and is not readily available for use by the cosmonauts, the Russian team working with Mark provided 4 "examples" of what could possible be done.