MICROBIAL LIFE IN SPACE: RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN A SPACE VEHICLE
(MICROSPACE)
Research Area: Microbiology
Expedition(s): 10 and 11
Principal Investigator(s): ● Francesco Canganella, Universitá della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Microorganisms are well known for their capabilities to withstand extreme environmental
conditions such as elevated temperature, high salinity, hydrostatic pressure, and toxic
compounds. The exposure to radiation, vacuum, electricity, and magnetic waves has been
investigated in the past, but still little information is available about the effects of the space
environment on microorganisms. The Microbial life in Space: Response to environmental
factors in a space vehicle (Microspace) research studies the response of representative
nonpathogenic microorganisms to the environment inside the space vehicle and at different
mission stages.
RESULTS
The response of microorganisms was investigated in
terms of survival rates, cell structure modifications, and
genomic damages. The survival of cells was affected by
both radiation doses and intrinsic cell features. As
expected, only samples kept on the International Space
Station (ISS) for 226 days showed significant levels of
mortality. As far as the effect on cell structures, these
samples also showed remarkable morphological
changes, particularly for Escherichia coli, Enterococcus
faecium, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The data
collected allowed for new insights into the biological
traits of microorganisms exposed to space environment during spaceflight. Moreover, the
result obtained may be important for the improvement of human conditions aboard space
vehicles (nutraceuticals for astronauts and disinfections of ISS modules) and also for the
potential development of closed systems devoted to vegetable productions and organic
recycling.
PUBLICATION(S)
Canganella F, Bianconi G. Survival of microorganisms representing the three domains of life
inside the International Space Station. Microgravity Science and Technology. 2007;19(5-6):148-
- doi: 10.1007/BF02919471.
This investigation is complete and all results are published.
Microspace experiment pouch. ESA
image.