Layer 0 detector completes tests for International Space Station mission

Researchers at the University of Perugia, in collaboration with the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), have successfully completed space qualification tests for the Layer 0 (L0) detector in Terni, Italy.

The sophisticated scientific instrument is designed to enhance the AMS-02 experiment, which has been observing cosmic rays from the International Space Station (ISS) since 2011. The Layer 0 detector aims to search for rare particles, including antimatter and clues regarding dark matter, to help explain why the observable universe is composed almost entirely of matter.

The launch is scheduled for April 2027 via a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Once it reaches the ISS, the detector will be installed atop the AMS-02 to bolster the search for signals that could provide insights into the evolution of the early universe.