Human stem cells from Adelaide University’s Centre for Cancer Biology have successfully travelled to the edge of space and back as part of a landmark mission for Australian cancer research.
The cells launched on 1 October 2026 at 8:51am local time aboard the German Aerospace Center (DLR) MAPHEUS-17 sounding rocket from the Esrange Space Center in Sweden , owned and operated by SSC Space.
Led by South Australian company Cambrian Defence & Space , the mission was delivered in partnership with the Centre for Cancer Biology, SSC Space and Blue Dwarf Space , with support from the South Australian Government through the South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund .
The rocket reached approximately 300 kilometres above Earth, giving the cells at least seven minutes of microgravity time before returning safely to Earth for recovery and analysis.
Researchers will now analyse the cells to investigate how they responded to microgravity and whether the changes could provide new insights into cancer progression and early detection.
NEW VISION AVAILABLE: Footage of the rocket launch and mission is available to media here:
MAPHEUS-17 Launch video and images – Please credit to German Aerospace Center (DLR)
SSC Space - YouTube – Please credit to SSC Space
Original media release - https://adelaide.edu.au/about/news/2026/cancer-research-heads-to-space-in-adelaide-led-microgravity-miss/
Media contacts
Tiffany Sharp, CEO & Director of Space Cambrian Defence & Space
E: tiffany.sharp@cambrianexecutive.com
Dr Nirmal Robinson, Senior Research Fellow: Cellular-Stress and Immune Response Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide University. E : nirmal.robinson@adelaide.edu.au
Kelly Yeoh, CEO & Founder, Blue Dwarf Space E: kelly@bluedwarf.space
Jessica Stanley Media Adviser Adelaide University. T : +61 422 406 351
E : Jessica.stanley@adelaide.edu.au
Cells