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Microbiological Contamination of SpacecraftThe International Space Station (ISS) Phase1 Program resulted in seven US astronauts residing aboard the Russian Space Station Mir between March 1995 and May 1998. Collaboration between U.S. and Russian scientists consisted of collection and analyses of samples from the crewmembers and the Mir and Shuttle environments before, during, and after missions that lasted from 75 to 209 days in duration. The effects of long-duration space flight on the microbial characteristics of closed life support systems and the interactions of microbes with the spacecraft environment and crewmembers were investigated. Air samples were collected using a Russian or U.S.-supplied sampler (SAS, RCS, or Burkard,) while surface samples were collected using contact slides (Hycon) or swabs. Mir recycled condensate and stored potable water sources were analyzed using the U.S.-supplied Water Experiment Kit. In-flight analysis consisted of enumeration of levels of bacteria and fungi. Amounts of microorganisms seen in the air and on surfaces were mostly within acceptability lin1its; observed temporal fluctuations in levels of microbes probably reflect changes in environmental conditions (e.g., humidity). All Mir galley hot water samples were within the standards set for Mir and the ISS. Microbial isolates were returned to Earth for identification of bacterial and fungal isolates. Crew samples (nose, throat, skin, urine, and feces) were analyzed using methods approved for the medical evaluations of Shuttle flight crews. No significant changes in crew microbiota were found during space flight or upon return relative to preflight results. Dissemination of microbes between the crew and environment was demonstrated by D A fingerprinting. Some biodegradation of spacecraft materials was observed. Accumulation of condensate allowed for the recovery of a wide range of bacteria and fungi as well as some protozoa and dust mites.
Document ID
20100031100
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Pierson, D. L.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Bruce, R. J.
(Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Groves, T. O.
(Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Novikova, N. D.
(Institute of Biomedical Problems Moscow, Russian Federation)
Viktorov, A. N.
(Institute of Biomedical Problems Moscow, Russian Federation)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
October 25, 2000
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-6439
Meeting Information
Meeting: 16th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology
Location: Montreal
Country: Canada
Start Date: October 25, 2000
End Date: October 28, 2000
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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