Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31572: Fighting Germs in Orbit: Students Test Antibacterial Products on the ISS

What happens to germs in space, and how effective are our cleaning solutions up there? That’s what students from Henry Bauerschlag Elementary set out to discover with their experiment aboard the International Space Station.

The project tested various antibacterial products in microgravity to determine their effectiveness. Understanding how germs behave in space is crucial—astronauts live in a closed environment where infections can spread quickly.

The experiment exposed common surfaces to bacteria and treated them with antibacterial agents, just as we do on Earth. The results helped researchers understand whether gravity affects how bacteria spread and how cleaning products function.

This project highlights how even elementary school students can contribute to scientific discovery and public health in space.

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