NASA’s ultra-clean spacecraft assembly spaces are created to be essentially sterilized, yet resistant microorganisms handle to make it through even in these severe environments
Researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and groups from India and Saudi Arabia have actually found 26 brand-new bacterial types flourishing in cleanrooms utilized for spacecraft assembly. These germs have hereditary characteristics that assist them make it through in severe environments, comparable to conditions in area. The findings highlight the requirement for rigorous contamination control to avoid unexpected microbial transfer throughout area objectives.
Teacher Alexandre Rosado of KAUSTa factor to NASA’s planetary defense research study, described that the research study intended to evaluate the threat of extremophiles riding on area objectives and identify which microorganisms may endure in area. Comprehending these survival systems is essential to avoiding unexpected microbial contamination on other worlds.
Researchers analyzed microbes in NASA’s cleanrooms and found lots of brand-new bacterial types with genes that assist them withstand radiation and decontamination. These hereditary qualities, connected to DNA repair workcleansing, and metabolic process, make the microorganisms extremely versatile.
3 unidentified bacterial pressures found on the spaceport station
Beyond planetary security issues, these discoveries might motivate biotechnological food conservation and medical advances.
Junia Schultz, a KAUST postdoctoral scientist and lead author of the research study, highlighted the prospective applications of these microorganisms. Given that area travel exposes organisms to severe conditions, studying their durability might assist establish brand-new medical and commercial options.
Furthermore, this research study assists NASA get ready for bacterial encounters in area objectives and fine-tune techniques to restrict microbial contamination in spacecraft assembly locations.
Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran, a retired Senior Research Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a research study lead author, stated, “KAUST’s partnership with NASA represents an innovative alliance driving the frontiers of area science and astrobiology. Together, we are deciphering the secrets of microorganisms that hold up against the severe conditions of area– organisms with the prospective to transform the life sciences, bioengineering, and interplanetary expedition.”
KAUST scientists establish a hard memory gadget for area objectives
“This collaboration not just supports Saudi Arabia’s enthusiastic vision through the Saudi Space Agency however likewise enhances KAUST’s development as a worldwide leader in microbial and area biology research study.”
Journal Reference:
- Schultz, J., Jamil, T., Sengupta, P. et al. Genomic insights into unique extremotolerant germs separated from the NASA Phoenix objective spacecraft assembly cleanrooms. Microbiome 13, 117 (2025 ). DOI: 10.1186/ s40168-025-02082-1
