Fundamental physics from space and in space Original Research Article

Whereas most of the key questions in particle physics are still addressed with accelerators, a new and rapidly expanding discipline, “astroparticle physics”, has been born, embracing both particle physics and gravitation. Much of it is carried out on Earth, but increasing possibilities are opening in space. For particles, the main activity is in large and sophisticated cosmic ray detectors on and under ground (or under water) but includes also the AMS on Shuttle. In gravity, the use of interferometer detectors for gravitational waves is proceeding with new vigour; this too will be extended to space. The talk reviews facts and trends in fundamental physics from space now, and increasingly in the future.