Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32341: Survivors of Space: The PY17 Bacterial Spores Experiment

Can life endure the harshest conditions of outer space? The PY17 experiment set out to find the answer by exposing bacterial spores to the space environment aboard a shuttle mission during Expedition 16. Conducted by researchers in Italy and sponsored by NASA, this study investigated how microgravity, radiation, and vacuum impact microbial life.

Bacterial spores are among Earth’s hardiest life forms. By sending them into orbit, scientists tested their limits and observed survival mechanisms. The results helped understand how microorganisms might behave during long-term missions and if they could pose contamination risks.

The findings also fed into theories about panspermia—the hypothesis that life might spread between planets via meteoroids. Spores that survived space exposure revealed how biology can adapt and persist in extraterrestrial conditions.

Beyond fundamental biology, this research supports sterilization protocols for spacecraft and contributes to planetary protection efforts. It's another step in unraveling life’s resilience and preparing humans for interplanetary travel.

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