biomining Archives - Astrobiology

Visualization and quantification of S. desiccabilis biofilm formation on the rock substrates. (A–G) Images obtained with scanning electron microscopy (SEM; left panels) and fluorescence microscopy (right panels) are shown for each rock. For fluorescence microscopy images, biofilms were stained with Sybr-gold and are visible as green pixels. -- Frontiers

Bioleaching Of Critical Trace Metals By Sphingomonas Desiccabilis: Substrate-driven Selectivity In Earth And Space Analogues

by Keith CowingJune 26, 2026June 26, 2026

Background – Biotechnological advances are transforming the potential for sustainable resource utilization in space exploration. Biomining, using microorganisms to extract valuable metals, has emerged as a viable strategy for in […]

Rosa Santomartino, assistant professor of biological and environmental engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, prepares samples for the launch to the International Space Station. -- Cornell University

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Commercial & Private Sector, Exploration Gear & Tech, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Stations

Microbes Harvest Metals From Meteorites Aboard The International Space Station

by Keith CowingFebruary 19, 2026February 19, 2026

If humankind is to explore deep space, one small passenger should not be left behind: microbes.

KUBIK onboard the ISS -- NASA

Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Comets and Asteroids, Commercial & Private Sector, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report

Microbial Biomining From Asteroidal Material Onboard The International Space Station

by Keith CowingFebruary 3, 2026February 3, 2026

Expanding human space exploration necessitates technologies for sustainable local resource acquisition, to overcome unviable resupply missions. Asteroids, some of which rich in metals like platinum group elements, are promising targets.

Astrogeology, Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Comets and Asteroids, Commercial & Private Sector, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report

Testing Microbial Biomining From Asteroidal Material Onboard The International Space Station

by Keith CowingJanuary 22, 2024February 14, 2026

Expanding human space exploration beyond Earth’s orbit necessitates efficient technologies for self-sustainable acquisition of local resources to overcome unviable resupply missions from Earth. Potential source of materials are asteroids, some […]

BioAsteroid -- NASA

Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Comets and Asteroids, Commercial & Private Sector, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Stations

BioAsteroid Payload On Orbit

by Keith CowingJanuary 15, 2021February 3, 2026

Inside one of the containers of this 40-cm-across miniature laboratory in orbit, a battle is set to start between asteroid-like fragments and rock-hungry microbes, to probe their use for space […]

A preflight view of BioAsteroid Experiment Unit where the BioAsteroid investigation is performed integrated into the Experiment Container for the BioAsteroid investigation. Each Experiment Unit has two culture chambers. Credits: ESA

Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Comets and Asteroids, Commercial & Private Sector, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Stations

Microbes To Demonstrate Biomining Of Asteroid Material Aboard The Space Station

by Keith CowingDecember 3, 2020February 3, 2026

As humanity moves closer to the possibility of living and working millions of miles from Earth on planets like Mars, scientists are looking beyond our planet at how to acquire […]

This fluorescent work of art captures the beauty of biofilms, or the growth of microbes on rocks. In this microscopic image, Sphingomonas desiccabilis is growing on basalt. It is one of three microbes chosen for the BioRock experiment, run by a research team from the University of Edinburgh in the UK, that will test how altered states of gravity affect biofilm formation on the International Space Station.

Commercial & Private Sector, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release

Building An Extra-terrestrial Habitat – One Microbe At A Time

by Keith CowingNovember 12, 2020April 12, 2024

We are making good progress towards going to the Moon and Mars.