NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to conduct research on microorganisms aboard the International Space Station (ISS). On January 30, they will perform a spacewalk to collect samples from the exterior of the orbital laboratory, aiming to determine if the station releases these organisms into space and to what extent.
The investigation focuses on sampling areas near the life support system openings to assess whether the spacecraft emits microorganisms, their quantities, and their potential travel distances. This study may provide insights into the survival and reproduction of these organisms in space, as well as their behavior on distant destinations such as Mars and the Moon.
Extremophiles, organisms that thrive in extreme environments, are particularly relevant for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications on Earth. Despite thorough sterilization processes for spacecraft and space suits prior to launches, astronauts carry microorganisms that cannot be completely eliminated. Consequently, numerous organisms accompany astronauts into space.
Nasa aims to understand how current processes mitigate or limit human contamination. The findings may inform necessary changes to crewed spacecraft and space suits designed for exploring environments that may harbor or have previously harbored life.