Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit

Area of Science:

• Space microbiology
• Astrobiology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Humans have lived on the International Space Station for 22 years, highlighting the need to understand microbial adaptation in space.
• Microbial studies reveal bacteria and fungi change in space, impacting astronaut health and spacecraft integrity.
• Future Moon and Mars missions necessitate integrating microbiology research for mission success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the beneficial and detrimental effects of microbes in long-duration space travel.
• To explore the application of microbes in bioregenerative life support systems and biological in situ resource utilization (bISRU).
• To discuss genetic engineering of microbes for space biotechnological applications and mitigation strategies for negative impacts.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on microbial adaptation in space and extreme environments.
• Analysis of microbial roles in astronaut health, spacecraft integrity, and life support systems.
• Exploration of microbial applications in bISRU, including radiation shielding, energy production, and waste recycling.

Main Results:

• Microbes can form biofilms negatively impacting health and spacecraft, but also aid in plastic degradation for sustainability.
• Microbiome studies are crucial for protecting astronauts from infections, immune dysfunction, and bone loss.
• Microbes can be engineered for radiation shielding, electricity generation, and creating habitats for food and waste recycling.

Conclusions:

• Harnessing microbial benefits while mitigating risks is essential for successful long-duration space exploration.
• Microbiology research is paramount for developing sustainable human habitats on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
• Integrating microbial solutions will enable deeper space exploration and self-sufficient extraterrestrial living.