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Medically important micro-organisms recovered from Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) crew members
1NASA/L.B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Life Sciences and Space Research
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Microbial populations in spaceflight did not simplify or cause illness. Pathogen transfer occurred within crews, but not between international space crews during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Space Medicine
- Aerospace Physiology
Background:
- Spaceflight is hypothesized to alter crew microbial populations.
- The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) offered a unique opportunity to study microbial behavior during a joint mission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate microbial population changes in astronauts during spaceflight.
- To assess cross-contamination and anomalous microbial behavior in a unique international space mission.
Main Methods:
- Collected and analyzed medically important microbes from five ASTP crew members (3 USA, 2 USSR) pre- and post-flight.
- Evaluated microbial samples for specific theoretical alterations like simplification and dysbacteriosis.
Main Results:
- The "simplification" phenomenon (reduced species diversity) was not observed in medically important microorganisms.
- Spontaneous post-flight infectious illness ("Microbial Shock") was absent.
- Intracrew pathogen transfer was confirmed, but intercrew transfer was not detected. A significant increase in oral gram-negative rods was noted in cosmonauts.
Conclusions:
- Microbial populations of ASTP crew members did not undergo simplification or cause post-flight illness.
- While intracrew pathogen transfer occurred, cross-contamination between international crews was absent.
- Findings provide insights into microbial dynamics relevant to future space missions.
Keywords:
NASA Experiment Number AR-002