While African cosmonaut Mark Shuttleworth continues to be feted as a hero at home, scientists are working around the clock to analyse the results of the experiments he conducted in space.
African In Space project team member Dale Cupido said on Monday the experiment on Soluble Protein Crystallisation (SCP) was currently being analysed by University of Port Elizabeth researcher Dr Vaughan Oosthuizen at a laboratory in Germany.
The tests could give scientists a better understanding of how a person's immune system functions, which could ultimately lead to a breakthrough in the fight against Aids.
"The problem facing scientists is that the combatants (immune cells) are too small to observe directly - we must look at various pieces of evidence to infer what happened," the African In Space website stated.
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'The results of the experiments will be made public within the next few weeks' "SPC gives scientists a way to look at the weapons used by the immune system with an eye to knowing how to make them more effective."
Cupido said the scientists in the two other experiments were analysing the results in Cape Town.
One of these experiments revolve around stem cells. The first cells that the body creates do not have pre-determined destiny, unlike more mature cells such as skin or liver cells. They are stem cells, which change to become a specific type of cell by responding to their environment.
"Understanding these cells holds the key to healing serious injuries where the cells in one part of the body have been damaged beyond repair."
The third experiment studied the affects of space on Shuttleworth's body. A team on earth monitored him while he was in space and recorded his heart rate and his muscles' reaction to micro-gravity.
"There are many unanswered questions and conflicting reports of biological responses - Mark hopes to help clear some of them up."
Cupido said the results of the experiments would be made public within the next few weeks.
"All the experiments are being analysed .. we don't know the results yet, but everyone is happy at this stage," Cupido said.
Shuttleworth blasted off into space in April this year after paying the Russia's space agency R200-million to become the world's second space tourist.
The internet magnate underwent eight months of intensive training before going into orbit on the Soyuz rocket for a 10-day voyage on the International Space Station.
Shuttleworth, who made his fortune after selling his internet technology company for $575-million (about R5,75-billion) two years ago, arrived in South Africa this weekend.
He is planning to travel to schools in South Africa in the next few weeks to promote studying science as part of his "Hip 2 B Square" campaign. - Sapa
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