Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31083: Hunting Microbes on the Outside of the ISS

Space is not as sterile as you might think. Even on the exterior of the International Space Station, tiny lifeforms might be clinging to survival. The ISS External Microorganisms experiment, led by Dr. Aaron Regberg from NASA’s Johnson Space Center, dives into the mystery of how microbes survive—or don’t—on the outside of our orbital laboratory.

This long-term investigation collects samples from the exterior surfaces of the ISS. The goal is to see if Earth-originating microorganisms can hitch a ride and persist in the harsh environment of space. Extreme radiation, vacuum, and temperature swings make the outside of the ISS a hostile place. Yet some microbes are incredibly resilient.

Scientists analyze the collected samples back on Earth to identify microbial species and study their adaptations. This helps us understand how life might survive on other planets or during interplanetary journeys.

The experiment also informs planetary protection protocols. If we’re sending humans to Mars or beyond, we need to know whether we're unknowingly bringing stowaway life with us. These insights ensure that future missions don’t contaminate other worlds—or compromise our search for alien life.

This experiment reveals just how persistent life can be—and how much we still have to learn about its limits.

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