Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31350: Tracking Microbial Changes on the ISS: Phase I

What happens to microbial communities aboard the International Space Station (ISS) over time? That’s the question tackled by the "Microbial Dynamics in International Space Station - I" experiment. Conducted by Japanese researchers Dr. Koichi Makimura and Dr. Masao Nasu, this study examined how the population of microorganisms evolves in space.

The ISS is a closed environment, and its crew shares their space with numerous microorganisms that hitch a ride from Earth. This experiment, part of Expeditions 19/20 and 23/24, aimed to observe how these microbial communities adapt, survive, or even thrive under spaceflight conditions.

Researchers collected microbial samples from various parts of the station over time. By analyzing changes in microbial diversity, abundance, and behavior, they could determine how microgravity, radiation, and other space-specific factors influence microbial life.

One key outcome was identifying which species remained stable and which ones grew or diminished in number. This information is vital for maintaining a healthy habitat aboard the ISS and planning for longer missions to the Moon or Mars.

Understanding microbial dynamics helps space agencies devise strategies to manage microbial risks. The results also provide clues about microbial resilience and adaptability, with implications for biotechnology and medicine.

This research is a critical step in ensuring both the safety of astronauts and the cleanliness of spacecraft environments in long-duration space missions.

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