Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31227: Space Bacteria vs. Climate Change: Kuwait’s Innovative Use of CO2-Eating E. coli on the ISS

What if we could harness bacteria to fight climate change? That’s the bold idea behind Kuwait’s space experiment, which sent genetically engineered *Escherichia coli* (E. coli) to the International Space Station (ISS). The goal? To see how well these bacteria can consume carbon dioxide (CO2)—a major greenhouse gas—in microgravity.

Led by Dr. Leila Vali from Kuwait University and supported by The Scientific Center of Kuwait and Orbital Space, the experiment flew aboard Expedition 64. Researchers wanted to test if microgravity would enhance or hinder the bacteria’s ability to absorb CO2 and convert it into useful substances like biomass or biofuels.

On Earth, E. coli is often used in biotech and medicine. This version was genetically modified to improve its CO2 absorption. In space, the team measured how effectively the bacteria performed their task, using sensors and growth chambers inside the ISS’s laboratory modules.

The results could have powerful applications. If microbes can thrive in space while eating CO2, they might help clean the air in closed environments—like future Mars habitats. On Earth, such bacteria could be engineered to reduce CO2 levels in factories or even in the atmosphere.

This project also underscores how student-led and educational initiatives can tackle global problems. Kuwait’s contribution marks a milestone in both climate science and space research. By testing these bacteria in orbit, scientists are one step closer to building biological tools that work beyond Earth—and help protect it.

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