Behind the scenes at the European Astronaut Centre
At ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, the ECOS team is responsible for turning scientific concepts into flight‑ready experiments for the International Space Station (ISS). Deputy Manager Salvi Verma oversees the collaboration between researchers, engineers and astronauts, guiding projects from early design through to execution.
From ground‑based planning to orbital deployment
The workflow starts with defining scientific objectives and selecting suitable hardware. Prototypes are then built, subjected to rigorous testing and adapted to the unique conditions of space. Close interaction with the scientific community ensures that each experiment can deliver the required data.
Supporting astronauts on mission
A recent example is the support provided to ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during her Epsilon mission. The ECOS team prepared the payloads, produced detailed operating procedures and offered technical assistance throughout the flight, enabling a smooth operation and valuable scientific output.
Turning concepts into reality – a continuous cycle
After experiments are completed on the ISS, the data are analysed and shared with the research community. The findings feed back into the design of future investigations, creating an ongoing loop of innovation and discovery.
Publication and further details
The interview with Salvi Verma was recorded in March 2026 and is available on all major podcast platforms. Listeners can learn more about the ECOS team’s role in bringing space science from the laboratory to orbit.