Artemis4554: With the return of all medical, healthcare, and support personnel of the Italian Air Force to the Base Camp in Alagna Valsesia, the scientific expedition organized by the Air Force Medical Corps concluded in the early afternoon of July 25. The initiative was part of the events marking the centenary of the Air Force Medical Service.
Around 40 military personnel, along with researchers from the scientific and academic communities, as well as representatives from companies specializing in the healthcare sector—and most importantly, with the support of technicians from the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps—carried out and completed several experiments over the course of a week on human physiology at high altitude. These efforts ideally continue, with new technologies and greater expertise, the studies conducted over a century ago by Angelo Mosso, one of the pioneers of aeronautical and space medicine.
The scientific activities of Sapienza University of Rome, led by Professor Gianluca Borghini from the Department of Molecular Medicine, focused on studying the effects of high altitude (hypobaric hypoxia) on human physiology from a cognitive and emotional perspective. This research builds on previous studies conducted aboard high-performance aircraft of the Italian Air Force and during suborbital flights.