The nation’s first astronaut, who safely reached the International Space Station (ISS) early Friday morning, has begun conducting scientific experiments.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute says Yi Soyeon has begun studying the effects of zero gravity on face shape and observed extreme atmospheric conditions on Friday.

From Saturday she began a test synthesizing zeolite. Zeolite is a porous substance containing one-nanometer-size pores and is used in a wide array of applications, including water purification, soil treatment, detergent and many others. When made in zero gravity, it can be used in optical computers and communication technology.

Yi will then experiment on fruit flies and also study the effects of zero gravity on eye pressure and the heart.

Also on Saturday, a day commemorating the world's first astronaut Yuri Gagarin, Yi will dine on Korean space food, including kimchi, with fellow astronauts at the space station.