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Microbial Applications for Sustainable Space Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit

Summary

This research explores how microorganisms can be used to support human space exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. Scientists are studying ways that bacteria and fungi can help create sustainable space habitats by recycling waste, producing oxygen, growing food, and generating energy. However, they must also address challenges like harmful biofilm formation and increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics in space. Impacts on everyday life: – Development of new sustainable waste recycling technologies – Advances in biotechnology for producing materials and medicines – Improved understanding of bacterial resistance and infection control – Innovation in renewable energy production using microorganisms – New approaches to growing food in extreme environments

Background

With the construction of the International Space Station, humans have been continuously living and working in space for 22 years. Microbial studies in space and other extreme environments on Earth have shown the ability for bacteria and fungi to adapt and change compared to ‘normal’ conditions. Some changes like biofilm formation can negatively impact astronaut health and spacecraft integrity, while others like plastic degradation can promote self-sufficiency and sustainability in space.

Objective

This review examines the beneficial use of microbes in bioregenerative life support systems, their applicability to biological in situ resource utilization, and their capability to be genetically engineered for biotechnological space applications. Additionally, it discusses the negative effects microbes and microbial communities may have on long-duration space travel and provides mitigation strategies to reduce their impact.

Results

The review found that microbes can be beneficial for plant cultivation, wastewater treatment, atmosphere revitalization, energy production through microbial fuel cells, and biomining. However, spaceflight conditions can enhance microbial virulence, increase horizontal gene transfer, and promote biofilm formation which can threaten crew health and spacecraft integrity.

Conclusion

Utilizing the benefits of microbes while understanding their limitations will help humans explore deeper into space and develop sustainable habitats on the Moon, Mars and beyond. The review emphasizes the need for continued research on microbial applications in space to ensure successful long-duration missions.
  • Published in:NPJ Microgravity,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41526-023-00285-0
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