I n the 1960s, President John F. Kennedy said that our thirst for “knowledge and progress”
made the “exploration of space [inevitable, and] one of the great adventures of all time.” …

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 …

After a less dynamic period, space exploration is now booming. There has been a sharp
increase in the number of current missions and also of those being planned for the near …

Human presence in space is inextricably linked with microbes. The topic of “Space
Microbiology” emerged the moment we stepped into space (Antipov et al., 1962; Hotchin et …

Pseudomonas is an opportunistic pathogen that has difficulty infecting healthy people.
However, astronaut bodies are under a lot of stress. For example, microgravity changes the …

Microorganisms play an important role in life and can adapt to and survive in harsh and
changing environments. Their ability to thrive in hostile conditions is reflected not only by …

Space exploration programs have long been interested in the effects of spaceflight on
biology. This research is important not only in its relevance to future deep space exploration …

Abstract The National Research Council (NRC) has recently recognized the International
Space Station (ISS) as uniquely suitable for furthering the study of microbial species in …

Since the dawn of the space age, humans have wrestled with concerns about planetary
cross-contamination. Spacecraft launched from Earth can transport hitchhiker microbes to …

One of the biggest challenges of science is the determination of whether extraterrestrial life
exists. Although potential habitable areas might be available for complex life, it is more likely …