Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31477: Fungi and Long-Duration Spaceflight: Insights from the 1-Year ISS Mission

The Mycological Evaluation of Crew Exposure to ISS Ambient Air 1 Year Mission builds on earlier work by examining how extended stays in space impact fungal presence in the ISS environment. This study, led again by Dr. Chiaki Mukai of JAXA, focuses on long-term exposure—critical for planning future missions to Mars or deep space.

Fungi are not just a nuisance; in space, they can become a serious health risk. Spores can trigger allergic reactions, cause infections, or degrade equipment by growing on surfaces. Over a one-year mission, even minor microbial issues can escalate.

This experiment involved collecting and analyzing air and surface samples at multiple time points over the course of a year. The samples were sent back to Earth for genetic sequencing to identify fungal species and study their mutations or adaptations.

The goal was to understand whether long-term spaceflight increases fungal diversity or leads to more resistant strains. These insights are essential for designing spacecraft systems that can better filter and manage microbial life.

Furthermore, this work contributes to space biosafety protocols. Lessons from this study help refine cleaning procedures, air filtration design, and monitoring strategies for future missions.

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