The boundaries between targeted interventions, background factors, and confounders are concerns in all biological experimentation.
Life Support Systems
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronauts and Explorers, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Tricorders & Sensors
A Science Strategy For The Human Exploration of Mars: Report Release Event
December 9, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (ET) Register https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DEPS-SSB-23-02/event/46072
Posted inAnalog Studies, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Life Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Status Report
mGem: Submarine Mycology — An Analog To Astromycology
Submarines and spacecraft share several features that may promote the presence of fungi, including recirculated ventilation systems, moist areas, and close-quarters living. /m In this article, we introduce the idea […]
Posted inGravitational Biology, Life Support Systems, Microgravity, Plant Biology, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Status Report
Peas on Mars: A Study Of Garden Pea, Lathyrus Oleraceus (Pisum sativum), Growth In Martian Regolith Simulant Treated With Black Soldier Fly Frass
Future long-duration missions to Mars will require in situ food production systems to reduce dependence on resupply missions and enhance crew autonomy.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Icy Worlds, Life Support Systems, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Sample Return, Status Report
Desert Cyanobacteria Under Non-Earth Conditions: Implications For Astrobiology And Sustainable Life Support
The astonishing capability of life to adapt to extreme conditions provides a new perspective on what habitable means.
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Moon, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science
Towards Farming On The Moon
To stay long-term on the Moon humans will need to produce food there. Is it possible to grow plants in environments very different from earth? With support from the Discovery […]
Posted inLife Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Space Life Science, Space Physiology & Medicine, Space Stations, Status Report
Microbial Resilience In Space: Biofilms, Risks And Strategies For Space ExplorationLife Sciences In Space Research
Biofilms are a community of microorganisms that can form on any surface, posing several challenges and significant medical issues.
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Life Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Space Life Science, Space Physiology & Medicine, Space Stations, Status Report
Genomic Characterization of Microbacterium meiriae sp. nov., A Novel Bacterium Isolated From The International Space Station
During the microbial surveillance of the International Space Station (ISS) in April 2018, four Gram-stain positive bacterial strains, designated as F6_8S_P_2BT, F6_8S_P_3A, F6_8S_P_3B and F6_8S_P_3C, belonging to the genus Microbacterium […]
Posted inGravitational Biology, Life Support Systems, Microgravity, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science
New Research Shows How Plant Roots Bend And Growth Downward Toward Gravity
Scientists have uncovered how the plant hormone auxin helps roots bend and downwards towards gravity – a process called gravitropism – even after encountering obstacles in soil.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
Planetary Protection Knowledge Gap Closure Enabling Crewed Missions to Mars
As focus for exploration of Mars transitions from current robotic explorers to development of crewed missions, it remains important to protect the integrity of scientific investigations at Mars, as well […]