European Technology Exposure Facility - Exposure Experiment - Life (EuTEF-Expose-Life)
Research Area: Astrobiology
Expedition(s): 16- 20
Principal Investigator(s): ● Silvano Onofri, Università degli Studi della Tuscia,
Viterbo, Italy
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The European Technology Exposure Facility - Exposure Experiment exposes several
investigations outside of the International Space Station (ISS) for 18 months on the external
surface of the European Columbus Laboratory. Lithic fungi and lichens from extreme
environments are the best adapted eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus and internal specialized
structures like our own cells) to dryness and
radiations. The EuTEF-Expose-Life
investigation aims to test selected
representatives of these organisms to
evaluate their survival in space conditions.
RESULTS
Photosynthetic activities, growth tests, DNA
tests, and vital staining tests have been
performed and analyzed, while electron
microscopy is still in progress. The
experiment was considered successful with
interesting results as space and Mars-like
conditions resistance was observed for all
eukaryotes tested for a long period. Samples
resisted full solar irradiation (1 lichen with a
PSII activity, ie, Photosystem II [or water-
plastoquinone oxidoreductase, of 45% and
one black fungus with 80% of DNA]). The dark samples, shielded from UV light, survived with
different levels (from almost 100% to 2.5%). One sandstone sample contained interestingly a
very high fraction of intact fungal cells though exposed to the full solar spectrum.
PUBLICATION(S)
Brandt A, de Vera J, Onofri S, Ott S. Viability of the lichen Xanthoria elegans and its symbionts
after 18 months of space exposure and simulated Mars conditions on the ISS. International
Journal of Astrobiology. July 2015;14(3):411-425. doi: 10.1017/S1473550414000214.
Expose allows long exposures to space conditions and
solar UV-radiation on the International Space Station.
Several trays filled with organisms were installed on the
outside of the European Columbus laboratory as one of
the nine payloads of the European Technology
Exposure Facility (EuTEF). ESA image.