Russian researchers: ISS home to more than 20 types of microorganisms
After studying more than 200 samples from ISS brought back to Russia, researchers have identified more than 20 types of microorganisms that make their home on ISS, including some pathogens and fungi.
The habitat of the module and the entire Russian segment of the ISS is an environmental niche home to bacteria and microscopic fungi, the materials suggest. “These microorganisms use the station’s decorative-finishing and design materials as their basic habitat,” according to the materials.
The experiment aboard the ISS involved taking samples and delivering them to Earth in descent modules. In the course of three years, over 200 samples were taken, with bacteria discovered in 34% and fungi in 3% of them. “In 5% of the samples with the presence of bacterial microflora and in 100% of the samples with the presence of fungal microflora, the standard indicator regulated by SSP 50260 NORD was exceeded,” the materials say.
The fungi indicate mold, a long known problem on manned space stations first identified by the Russians on their Salyut stations in the ’70s and ’80s. The pathogens do not appear to be harmful, or else the astronauts would have experienced sicknesses. No such sicknesses have been reported, though they might have occurred but have not been released publicly due to medical privacy concerns.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
After studying more than 200 samples from ISS brought back to Russia, researchers have identified more than 20 types of microorganisms that make their home on ISS, including some pathogens and fungi.
The habitat of the module and the entire Russian segment of the ISS is an environmental niche home to bacteria and microscopic fungi, the materials suggest. “These microorganisms use the station’s decorative-finishing and design materials as their basic habitat,” according to the materials.
The experiment aboard the ISS involved taking samples and delivering them to Earth in descent modules. In the course of three years, over 200 samples were taken, with bacteria discovered in 34% and fungi in 3% of them. “In 5% of the samples with the presence of bacterial microflora and in 100% of the samples with the presence of fungal microflora, the standard indicator regulated by SSP 50260 NORD was exceeded,” the materials say.
The fungi indicate mold, a long known problem on manned space stations first identified by the Russians on their Salyut stations in the ’70s and ’80s. The pathogens do not appear to be harmful, or else the astronauts would have experienced sicknesses. No such sicknesses have been reported, though they might have occurred but have not been released publicly due to medical privacy concerns.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
I wonder if they found Toenail fungus since that infection is one of the most common foot ailments.
Anyone remember the old Peanuts cartoon character named Pig Pen?
Yeah, that’s us – effusing bio bombs and terra forming wherever we go.
To go Where No MAN has Gone before!!!
But you do not need clean boots to tred……
Life there !
It seems to me that this is going to be a serious problem in the future.
We will inevitably contaminate other parts of the Solar System. Is there
life on Mars? Well, maybe there is and maybe there isn’t, but there certainly
will be life on Mars ( and not only human life ) once we get there.
Contaminate?
What are we supposed to protect if not ourselves?
I say to the Universe, “We’re here, and we’re coming. Protect sterility as best you can; not our problem.”
Note to self: Do not let Russian researchers sample my bathroom.
This will be a larger problem in the future, as more & more habitation modules are launched and occupied for longer periods. I‘ve been thinking about this ever since I read “Dragonfly”, and I‘m guessing we will need to simply replace old, dirty habitation modules with new ones, as it will be impossible to completely clean the old ones.
Very interesting.
Considering these organisms are very old from an evolutionary perspective, and humans have co-existed with them, it’s no surprise they follow along.
I’m glad somebody is researching this.
being totally fanciful for a moment:
Cats In Space–we’re going to have to surmount those challenges, cuz’ mice & rodents will inevitably be a problem. (longer term)
wayne: See this BtB post:
Crowdfunding campaign to honor only cat to fly in space
I think I posted an evening pause at some point showing film footage from this suborbital flight, but can’t find it.
Below is a French video describing the flight:
Mr. Z.,
Cats In Space–>Good stuff!
I’m going to be a definition nazi: “The pathogens do not appear to be harmful,” then by definition they are not pathogens. It is a common misuse of the word but most bacteria in the world are not pathogenic unless the individual is immuno-compromised.
I suspect the bacteria found in the ISS are also somewhere on this list, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_human_microbiota