Preparation and remote control of microgravity experiments

Upon completion in the year 2005, the International Space Station (ISS) will become the largest microgravity platform ever constructed and placed in orbit. The ISS will broaden the current research capabilities in the field of microgravity experimentation, including crystal growth, and material science in general. In planning for the utilization of the ISS, emphasis has been placed on the possibility of controlling experiments in a remote manner (telescience) via an efficiently, pre-determined ground infrastructure, implementing a decentralised approach.