Azenta, Inc. has announced a strategic partnership with Frontier Space, a leader in commercial space-based research systems, to advance scientific experiments in orbit. The collaboration leverages the unique properties of the microgravity environment to accelerate discovery and innovation in life sciences and includes participation in the recently launched EGGS-2 mission. This mission, developed with Orbital Paradigm, aims to test and enhance the performance of Frontier’s SpaceLab Mk 2 research platform under real spaceflight conditions.
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The partnership allows Azenta to demonstrate how its sample management technologies perform in extreme research settings, extending the use of its high-precision consumables into next-generation workflows and reinforcing the company’s reputation for maintaining sample integrity. The EGGS-2 mission, launched in January 2026, carried 42 passive experimental samples stored in FluidX 0.26 mL tubes specially selected for their durability, precision, and proven reliability under demanding conditions. For this mission, the tubes were placed in a custom-designed container that ensured samples remained secure throughout launch and orbital operations.
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A major focus of the experiment was evaluating SpaceLab Mk 2’s thermal management capabilities, including systems for maintaining temperature control and thermal cycling during spaceflight. Integrated sensors monitored temperature changes in real time, providing researchers with insights into how microgravity affects biological samples. The space environment allows certain biological processes to occur faster and reveals phenomena that are difficult to replicate on Earth, creating opportunities for accelerated research and unique scientific insights.
Dr. Aqeel Shamsul, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Space, stated that the SpaceLab Mk 2 platform represents a critical step in demonstrating readiness for orbital operations. He explained that testing systems in real space conditions builds confidence in the technology and enables quicker iteration for future development. He emphasized that partnering with Azenta, whose sample storage solutions offer proven reliability under extreme conditions, is vital to establishing a strong foundation for life sciences research in orbit. He added that the success of EGGS-2 brings the industry closer to a future where pharmaceutical research and biomanufacturing in space are routine.
Michael Bussmann, Vice President and General Manager of Consumables and Instruments at Azenta Life Sciences, highlighted the importance of the FluidX technology in the mission. He noted that the tubes are engineered to perform reliably under the most challenging conditions, now including spaceflight, and that their integrity is essential for producing dependable data in microgravity experiments. He added that supporting Frontier’s SpaceLab platform during this testing phase helps lay the groundwork for future biological and pharmaceutical studies conducted in space and allows researchers to explore new research environments while advancing scientific understanding.
This early-stage mission provides Azenta with valuable technical insights and reinforces the performance of its consumables across a wide range of life sciences applications. By validating the reliability of its sample management technology in space, Azenta positions itself to support emerging research frontiers and contributes to the growth of life sciences experimentation beyond Earth.
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