Characterization of Spacesuit Associated Microbial Communities and Their Implications for NASA Missions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Crewed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions to other solar system bodies are currently being planned. One high-profile scientific focus during such expeditions would be life detection, specifically the discovery of past or present microbial life, if they exist. However, both humans and associated objects typically carry a high microbial burden. Thus, it is essential to distinguish between microbes brought with the expedition and those present on the exploring planets. Modern spacesuits are unique, customized spacecraft which provide protection, mobility and life support to crew during spacewalks, yet they vent, and the mobility of microbes through spacesuits has not been studied.

Results

To evaluate the microbial colonization of spacesuits

SUBMITTER: Danko D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8358432 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature