Survival of Spores of Trichoderma longibrachiatum in Space: data from the Space Experiment SPORES on EXPOSE-R

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Neuberger ◽  
Astrid Lux-Endrich ◽  
Corinna Panitz ◽  
Gerda Horneck

AbstractIn the space experiment ‘Spores in artificial meteorites’ (SPORES), spores of the fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum were exposed to low-Earth orbit for nearly 2 years on board the EXPOSE-R facility outside of the International Space Station. The environmental conditions tested in space were: space vacuum at 10−7–10−4 Pa or argon atmosphere at 105 Pa as inert gas atmosphere, solar extraterrestrial ultraviolet (UV) radiation at λ > 110 nm or λ > 200 nm with fluences up to 5.8 × 108 J m−2, cosmic radiation of a total dose range from 225 to 320 mGy, and temperature fluctuations from −25 to +50°C, applied isolated or in combination. Comparable control experiments were performed on ground. After retrieval, viability of spores was analysed by two methods: (i) ethidium bromide staining and (ii) test of germination capability. About 30% of the spores in vacuum survived the space travel, if shielded against insolation. However, in most cases no significant decrease was observed for spores exposed in addition to the full spectrum of solar UV irradiation. As the spores were exposed in clusters, the outer layers of spores may have shielded the inner part. The results give some information about the likelihood of lithopanspermia, the natural transfer of micro-organisms between planets. In addition to the parameters of outer space, sojourn time in space seems to be one of the limiting parameters.

Religions ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 611
Author(s):  
Wendy Salmond ◽  
Justin Walsh ◽  
Alice Gorman

This paper investigates the material culture of icons on the International Space Station as part of a complex web of interactions between cosmonauts and the Russian Orthodox Church, reflecting contemporary terrestrial political and social affairs. An analysis of photographs from the International Space Station (ISS) demonstrated that a particular area of the Zvezda module is used for the display of icons, both Orthodox and secular, including the Mother of God of Kazan and Yuri Gagarin. The Orthodox icons are frequently sent to space and returned to Earth at the request of church clerics. In this process, the icons become part of an economy of belief that spans Earth and space. This practice stands in contrast to the prohibition against displaying political/religious imagery in the U.S.-controlled modules of ISS. The icons mark certain areas of ISS as bounded sacred spaces or hierotopies, separated from the limitless outer space beyond the space station walls.


Author(s):  
Diana M. AYUKAEVA ◽  
Fedor A. VORONIN ◽  
Mikhail A. POLUARSHINOV ◽  
Mikhail A. KHARCHIKOV

The paper discusses the process of integrating scientific equipment into the Russian Segment of the International Space Station (ISS RS) to conduct space experiment using the ISS IS information and control system. The paper addresses the stages in ground processing of scientific equipment that are critical for its successful operation after delivery to the ISS RS: tests on the hardware (vibration and hydraulic tests, electromagnetic compatibility tests, incoming inspection), development of the software for the equipment using ground debugging facility and conducting integrated tests in the checkout facility. It points out the need to update the existing stages of ground preparations for experiments to reduce the hardware ground processing time. Taking as examples the space experiment Terminator and experiments conducted using cargo transportation spacecraft Progress, the paper resents results obtained through the use of the described approach. Key words: information and control system, scientific equipment, space experiment, International Space Station, logistics spacecraft Progress, microgravity.


2005 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 1710-1717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nevena Stojicic ◽  
David Walrafen ◽  
Christa Baumstark-Khan ◽  
Elke Rabbow ◽  
Petra Rettberg ◽  
...  

Soundings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (78) ◽  
pp. 81-85
Author(s):  
Susmita Mohanty

Space debris has reached alarming proportions and is growing at a frightening pace, because of the expanding number of satellites circulating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), designed to increase global Internet coverage and provide earth observation data. LEO satellites are now being launched in mega-constellations, including by Elon Musk's company SpaceX. It is time to completely overhaul the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which was not designed to deal with current problems. The COP forum should therefore include the near-earth environment within its concept of the earth's climate, enabling the UN to acknowledge, as a collective, the growing menace of human-made debris in near-earth space, and, in partnership with the UN-Outer Space Affairs Office (UN-OOSA), call for a new declaration on LEO.


Author(s):  
Chris Nie

A new era of spaceflight dawned following the conclusion of the United States and Russian space race. This new era has been marked by the design, assembly, and operation of one of the greatest engineering feats mankind has accomplished, the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is comprised of hundreds of thousands of kilograms of material built on the ground and transported to space for assembly. It houses an artificial atmosphere to sustain life in outer space and has been continually inhabited for over 15 years. This chapter describes the technical complexity of the ISS, the background of how it was assembled, its major systems, details of crew life onboard, commercial usage of the resource, and examples of mishaps that have occurred during the ISS's operation. The technical details of the ISS provide a glimpse into what future space stations that might orbit the Moon and Mars will resemble.


Author(s):  
Ian G. R. Shaw

The third chapter looks at the spread of U.S. military control across the planet from the Cold War to the “war on terror.” It considers how various military infrastructures have been materialized across land, sea, and finally, outer space. It argues that all of these are becoming “dronified.”


2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 966-977
Author(s):  
Rebecca S. Blue ◽  
Jeffery C. Chancellor ◽  
Rahul Suresh ◽  
Lisa S. Carnell ◽  
David P. Reyes ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: Analysis of historical solar particle events (SPEs) provides context for some understanding of acute radiation exposure risk to astronauts who will travel outside of low-Earth orbit. Predicted levels of radiation exposures to exploration crewmembers could produce some health impacts, including nausea, emesis, and fatigue, though more severe clinical manifestations are unlikely. Using current models of anticipated physiological sequelae, we evaluated the clinical challenges of managing radiation-related clinical concerns during exploration spaceflight.METHODS: A literature review was conducted to identify terrestrial management standards for radiation-induced illnesses, focusing on prodromal symptom treatment. Terrestrial management was compared to current spaceflight medical capabilities to identify gaps and highlight challenges involved in expanding capabilities for future exploration spaceflight.RESULTS: Current spaceflight medical resources, such as those found on the International Space Station, may be sufficient to manage some aspects of radiation-induced illness, although effective treatment of all potential manifestations would require substantial expansion of capabilities. Terrestrial adjunctive therapies or more experimental treatments are unavailable in current spaceflight medical capabilities but may have a role in future management of acute radiation exposure.DISCUSSION: Expanded medical capabilities for managing radiation-induced illnesses could be included onboard future exploration vehicles. However, this would require substantial research, time, and funding to reach flight readiness, and vehicle limitations may restrict such capabilities for exploration missions. The benefits of including expanded capabilities should be weighed against the likelihood of significant radiation exposure and extensive mission design constraints.Blue RS, Chancellor JC, Suresh R, Carnell LS, Reyes DP, Nowadly CD, Antonsen EL. Challenges in clinical management of radiation-induced illnesses during exploration spaceflight. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(11):966–977.


2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 1143-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren C. Zook

In October 2007, Malaysia celebrated sending its first astronaut into space, as part of a cooperative venture on board a Russian space mission. As Malaysia's first astronaut was a Muslim, the Malaysian government commissioned, through its Department of Islamic Development, a project to create a definitive set of guidelines for the practice of Islam in outer space, specifically on board the International Space Station. What may on the surface appear to be a practical exercise in clarifying religious practice reveals upon closer examination to be a complex restructuring of Malaysia's domestic and international politics, with the role of Islam as the catalytic and somewhat controversial centerpiece.


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