A driving force behind space exploration is the search for extraterrestrial life and/or
environmental conditions that may give rise to or support it. To prevent forward …

An evaluation of the microbial flora from air, water, and surface samples provided a baseline
of microbial diversity onboard the International Space Station (ISS) to gain insight into …

Background Crewed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions to
other solar system bodies are currently being planned. One high-profile scientific focus …

The ubiquitous nature of microbiology is reflected in the diversity of microbiological research
and operational efforts at NASA. For example, the impact of microorganisms on other …

Microbiological research has made important discoveries about how life responds to non-
terrestrial environments, such as those found aboard the International Space Station. As …

Rapid microbial monitoring technologies are invaluable in assessing contamination of
spacecraft and associated environments. Universal and widespread elements of microbial …

In the near future, an increasing number of in situ life detection and sample return missions
to planets and other solar system bodies will be launched. The demand to control spacecraft …

Terrestrial organisms or other contaminants that are transported to Mars could interfere with
efforts to study the potential for indigenous martian life. Similarly, contaminants that make the …

Abstract Background The International Space Station (ISS) is a closed system inhabited by
microorganisms originating from life support systems, cargo, and crew that are exposed to …

The determination of the microbial load of a spacecraft en route to interesting extraterrestrial
environments is mandatory and currently based on the culturable, heat-shock-surviving …