Climate change highlights the importance of understanding life’s survival limits for addressing global challenges and supporting future human habitation beyond Earth. Plants, as photosynthetic organisms, play a vital role in […]
vacuum
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Gravitational Biology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Space Stations
This Moss Survived 9 Months Directly Exposed To The Elements Of Space
Mosses thrive in the most extreme environments on Earth, from the peaks of the Himalayas to the sands of Death Valley, the Antarctic tundra to the lava fields of active […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Sample Return, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report
Biomarker Preservation in Antarctic Sandstones after Prolonged Space Exposure Outside the International Space Station During the ESA EXPOSE-E Lichens and Fungi Experiment
A primary aim of current and future space exploration missions is the detection and identification of chemical and biological indicators of life, namely biomarkers, on Mars.
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Moon, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
A Microbial Survival Model For The permanently Shadowed Regions Of The Moon Shows Long-Term Survival of Terrestrial Microbe Forward Contamination
Based on previous models of microbial survival there are regions in the solar system which have high preservation potential for terrestrial spore-forming microbes such as Bacillus subtilis.
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Radiation, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: Antibody Resistance to Space Conditions after Exposure Outside the International Space Station
Antibody-based analytical instruments are under development to detect signatures of life on planetary bodies. Antibodies are molecular recognition reagents able to detect their target at sub-nanomolar concentrations, with high affinity […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Status Report
Synergistic Interactions Among Vacuum, Solar Heating, and UV Irradiation Enhance the Lethality of Interplanetary Space
A Planetary Atmospheric Chamber (PAC) was used to create simulations of interplanetary conditions to test the spore survival of three Bacillus spp. exposed to interacting conditions of vacuum (VAC), simulated […]
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Space Stations, Status Report
Offworld Environment Testing: The Euro Material Ageing Experiment
Nothing is entirely immune to the harsh environment of space. Out there, materials and organisms degrade at a faster pace and in different ways. To understand how materials age beyond […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report
Survival Of Microorganisms During Two-year Exposure Outside The International Space Station
Results of an experiment named “Test” on survival and variability of microorganisms in open space near the International Space Station are presented.
Posted inBiophysics, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Press Release, Radiation, Space Life Science
Molecular Repertoire Of Deinococcus Radiodurans After 1 Year Of Exposure Outside The International Space Station Within The Tanpopo Mission
Background The extraordinarily resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans withstands harsh environmental conditions present in outer space. Deinococcus radiodurans was exposed for 1 year outside the International Space Station within Tanpopo orbital […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Press Release, Radiation, Space Stations
Algae Survive Heat, Cold and Cosmic Radiation Outside of the Space Station
In a long-term experiment on the International Space Station, Fraunhofer researchers studied how the extreme conditions in space affect algae. Fraunhofer conducted this experiment in close cooperation with German and […]