Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31487: Fighting Microbial Corrosion in Space: Understanding Biofilms Aboard the ISS

Bacteria are everywhere—even in space. And in the unique environment aboard the International Space Station (ISS), microbes behave in unusual ways. One concerning effect is microbial-induced corrosion, where bacterial colonies, or biofilms, damage metal surfaces. The experiment "Linking Biofilm Thickness and Viability to an Elevated Microbial Corrosion Risk" investigates exactly how this happens in microgravity.

Led by scientists from Nalco Champion and supported by BioServe Space Technologies, this study was conducted during Expedition 57/58. The goal? To determine how the size and health (or "viability") of biofilms impact the rate at which they corrode metal.

Biofilms are dense microbial communities that stick to surfaces. On Earth, they’re responsible for things like dental plaque or clogged pipes. In space, biofilms form more quickly and behave differently due to microgravity, creating unexpected maintenance problems on spacecraft.

To study this, researchers exposed different metal samples to biofilms and monitored changes in surface structure, chemistry, and microbial growth. The ISS provided a controlled environment where the only variable was gravity—or the lack of it. This allowed scientists to isolate how microgravity influences biofilm development.

The results were striking. Biofilms in space were often thicker and more robust, accelerating corrosion more than their Earth-based counterparts. This poses serious risks for long-duration missions, where metal infrastructure—pipes, tanks, instruments—must remain intact for years.

Understanding these processes helps engineers design better protective coatings, choose corrosion-resistant materials, and implement cleaning systems suited for space habitats. The findings also apply to Earth-based industries like oil and gas, where microbial corrosion causes billions in damage each year.

This experiment proves that even microscopic lifeforms can have a big impact on space missions. By studying biofilms in orbit, we’re learning how to build more durable, safer environments for astronauts—and possibly improving industrial systems back on Earth.

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