The mission, promoted by the Italian Space Agency and known as Marco Polo, took place from April 25^th to May 1^st, 2002; it was a so-called “taxi flight”, aimed at carrying a new Soyuz to the International Space Station.

In fact, every six months the shuttle operating as a lifeboat had to be replaced. But the flight also had scientific goals. The ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori was aboard, with the task of conducting four experiments all based on microgravity: the BMI test to study blood pressure and providing vital information on the impact of space environment on the organism. CHIRO, to measure the holding force exerted by hands and fingers while catching objects in the absence of gravity; ALTEINO, to study the cosmic particles crossing the Station and the bodies of the same astronauts. Finally, VEST: samples of special dresses to be worn and tried on. 

Astronauts: Roberto Vittori