Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31287: Sticky Science: How Microbes Behave on Surfaces in Space

The air inside the ISS, like any indoor environment, contains tiny microbes. Some of these microbes can float as aerosols and attach to surfaces, potentially affecting the cleanliness and safety of spacecraft environments.

The 'Microbial Aerosol Tethering on Innovative Surfaces' experiment, led by Laurence Lemelle and supported by several European research institutions, studied how these microbes behave in microgravity. By testing new types of surfaces designed to either attract or repel microbes, scientists hope to develop more hygienic and safer materials for future missions.

This research, conducted across multiple ISS expeditions, can inform the development of antimicrobial surfaces not just in space, but also in hospitals and clean rooms on Earth.

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