Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31351: Microbe-III: Studying Invisible Passengers of the ISS

The International Space Station (ISS) is more than just a lab in orbit—it's also a habitat. And like all habitats, it's filled with microorganisms. The Microbe-III experiment was designed to monitor these tiny lifeforms and understand their behavior in the unique space environment.

Carried out during Expeditions 31/32 and 33/34, the study focused on sampling various surfaces aboard the ISS to assess the microbial load. Even though microbes are invisible, they are always present, and in space, their behavior can change dramatically.

In microgravity, bacteria can become more virulent, and their growth rates may increase. Microbe-III aimed to identify which microbes were present, how they changed over time, and what effects these changes might have on the health of the astronauts.

By cataloging and analyzing the microbial population in the ISS, the experiment helped in establishing a database of space-relevant microorganisms. This is crucial for planning future long-term missions where a stable and safe microbial environment is key.

The findings also aid in improving cleaning protocols and designing antimicrobial surfaces for spacecraft. Plus, understanding how microbes adapt to space could inspire innovations in microbial research and biotechnology on Earth.

Microbe-III demonstrates the importance of even the smallest lifeforms in space research and underlines how vital it is to monitor them closely.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in astronomy, cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.