Article
Microbiology
Alessia Cassaro, Claudia Pacelli, Mickael Baque, Barbara Cavalazzi, Giorgio Gasparotto, Raffaele Saladino, Lorenzo Botta, Ute Boettger, Elke Rabbow, Jean-Pierre de Vera, Silvano Onofri
Summary: The Moon's harsh conditions provide a unique platform for studying the effects of UV radiation, extreme temperatures, vacuum, and ionizing radiation. Exposure experiments in low Earth orbit can help prepare for lunar space experiments and understand the influence of extraterrestrial conditions on potential biomarkers. This study investigates the stability/degradation of fungal biomarkers after exposure to simulated and real space conditions, with the aim of contributing to future biological experiments on the lunar surface.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Sara Seager, Janusz J. Petkowski, Christopher E. Carr, David H. Grinspoon, Bethany L. Ehlmann, Sarag J. Saikia, Rachana Agrawal, Weston P. Buchanan, Monika U. Weber, Richard French, Pete Klupar, Simon P. Worden, Darrel Baumgardner
Summary: The Venus Life Finder (VLF) missions aim to assess the habitability of the Venusian clouds and search for signs of extraterrestrial life. The project, led by MIT, is focused on astrobiology and can be launched quickly and at a relatively low cost.
Article
Microbiology
Jaume Puig, Nastassia Knodlseder, Jaume Quera, Manuel Algara, Marc Guell
Summary: Some organisms, such as Deinococcus radiodurans and tardigrades, have natural mechanisms to resist severe DNA damage from extreme conditions. Research on enhancing radiation resistance in Escherichia coli through genetic engineering shows potential for adapting bacterial strains to survive severe environments.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Manasvi Lingam, Andreas M. Hein, T. Marshall Eubanks
Summary: Nomadic worlds, which are not gravitationally bound to any star, are of great interest in planetary science and astrobiology. This paper estimates the prevalence of nomadic worlds and explores the feasibility of exploring these unbounded objects via deep space missions. The results suggest that these nomadic worlds have potential for deep space exploration.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Runzi Liu, Xu Ding, Weihua Wu, Wei Guo
Summary: This paper proposes a distributed coordinate resource scheduling method for remote sensing missions. The multiple resource coordination problem is formulated as an MILP problem and is decomposed into subproblems for remote sensing satellite systems and data relay satellite systems. A distributed iterative scheme based on ADMM is proposed, where only the inter-satellite link schedule information needs to be exchanged. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Coleine, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
Summary: This article examines the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life and investigates unique organisms present in extreme environments on Earth. These findings are crucial in predicting the types of organisms we might find in the solar system and beyond, as well as understanding the future and origins of life on Earth.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yining Chen, Qing Zhang, Deyu Wang, Yao-Gen Shu, Hualin Shi
Summary: Earth's near space is an extreme environment with high radiation and extreme cold, but many studies have shown that microbes can still survive here. Investigating the factors that affect the survival of microorganisms in near space after exposure to radiation is important for understanding radioresistance mechanisms and long-distance microbial transfer. The results of the study suggest that the growth condition before radiation has a memory effect on the survival of microorganisms.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biology
Ian von Hegner
Summary: The search for life elsewhere in the universe has the potential to expand our knowledge and clarify the principles applicable to terrestrial life. By analyzing the distribution curve of life, predictions can be made about the development of extraterrestrial life, suggesting that graphs of terrestrial and extraterrestrial life will be similar overall and there may be a subset of life existing in other domains that are not visible to us.
THEORY IN BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sumeth Klomchitcharoen, Tanchanok Tangwattanasirikun, Sean Gallup, Noparin Smerwong, Peetimon Arunwiriyakit, Pisitchai Tachavises, Jin Tangkijngamwong, Pichamon Phatthanaanukun, Benjamard Jirapanyalerd, Siripak Chattanupakorn, Visarut Rungpongvanich, Norawit Nangsue, Krai Meemon, Patompon Wongtrakoonkate, Suradej Hongeng, Yodchanan Wongsawat
Summary: The ideas of deep-space human exploration, interplanetary travel, and space civilizations are becoming a reality. Minerva mission aims to inhibit DNA damage from space ionizing radiation using genetic modification. By genetically engineering C. elegans with a protein-coding gene called damage suppressor (Dsup), the mission will test the limits of genetic engineering and provide a platform for future experiments in space biology.
Article
Biology
Filomena Loffredo, Emanuele Vardaci, Davide Bianco, Antonio Di Nitto, Maria Quarto
Summary: Space missions expose crews to ionizing radiation, and reducing radiation exposure is necessary. This study simulated the performance of Nomex in reducing radiation doses using the Geant4 toolkit-based code DOSE. The results showed that Nomex can be a good candidate for shielding material.
Review
Plant Sciences
Veronica De Micco, Carmen Arena, Luca Di Fino, Livio Narici
Summary: This paper firstly discusses the radiation issue for space exploration from a physics point of view and presents an overview of the spatial and temporal variability of space radiation, as well as measurement and simulation of irradiation. It then focuses on the biological issues related to plants as crucial components of Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) and identifies critical endpoints for the development of Space agriculture. Finally, it suggests future research directions to validate the current knowledge with space-relevant radiation.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Christian Brand, Christian Knobloch, Ksenija Simonovic, Markus Arndt
Summary: The importance of intense coherent ultraviolet radiation is increasing in various fields, but the degradation of UV optics in high vacuum has been a challenge. This study demonstrates stable performance of a cavity for 266 nm light in high vacuum, highlighting the importance of the micro-chemical environment. Further developments are needed to facilitate robust, compact, and high-performing devices employing UV radiation.
Article
Microbiology
Marta Cortesao, Katharina Siems, Stella Koch, Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic, Elke Rabbow, Thomas Berger, Michael Lane, Leandro James, Prital Johnson, Samantha M. Waters, Sonali D. Verma, David J. Smith, Ralf Moeller
Summary: Experiments exposing fungi and bacteria to Mars-like conditions showed variable resistance levels to radiation, with Aspergillus niger and Salinisphaera shabanensis demonstrating the most resilience. These findings suggest that microorganisms associated with spacecraft may have different survival capabilities in extreme environments like Mars.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Enhui LI, Yunze LI, Jixiang Wang, Man Yuan, Jingyan Xie, Yuehang Sun, Lizhu Yang, Xianwen Ning
Summary: This paper presents visualized ground-based experimental approaches to study the sublimation cooling process under vacuum conditions, revealing the movement law of the three-phase point and the growth phenomenon of ice-peak and icicle. The results of the visualized experiments provide insights into the sublimation cooling mechanism of water in the sublimator for lunar exploration missions.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF AERONAUTICS
(2022)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Peter Watkins, Joanne Hughes, Thambaramala Gamage, Kai Knoerzer, Melanie L. Ferlazzo, Richard B. Banati
Summary: This review provides an overview of the current status of space food products and the impact of radiation on food composition, particularly regarding the effects of cosmic radiation in space exploration. It also highlights the gaps in our knowledge regarding the effects of cosmic radiation on food.
LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ruth-Sophie Taubner, Karen Olsson-Francis, Steven D. Vance, Nisha K. Ramkissoon, Frank Postberg, Jean-Pierre de Vera, Andre Antunes, Eloi Camprubi Casas, Yasuhito Sekine, Lena Noack, Laura Barge, Jason Goodman, Mohamed Jebbar, Baptiste Journaux, Ozgur Karatekin, Fabian Klenner, Elke Rabbow, Petra Rettberg, Tina Rueckriemen-Bez, Joachim Saur, Takazo Shibuya, Krista M. Soderlund
SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2020)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jorge Dominguez-Andres, Marc Eleveld, Georgios Renieris, Thomas J. Boltje, Rob J. Mesman, Laura van Niftrik, Sam J. Moons, Petra Rettberg, Jos W. M. van der Meer, Evangelos J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis, Huub J. M. Op den Camp, Marien de Jonge, Mihai G. Netea
Article
Microbiology
Jana Fahrion, Carina Fink, Paul Zabel, Daniel Schubert, Mohamed Mysara, Rob Van Houdt, Bernhard Eikmanns, Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic, Petra Rettberg
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Thasshwin Mathanlal, Miracle Israel Nazarious, Abhilash Vakkada Ramachandran, Maria-Paz Zorzano, Javier Martin-Torres, Petra Rettberg
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bernd Dachwald, Stephan Ulamec, Frank Postberg, Frank Sohl, Jean-Pierre de Vera, Christoph Waldmann, Ralph D. Lorenz, Kris A. Zacny, Hugo Hellard, Jens Biele, Petra Rettberg
SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Rosa Santomartino, Annemiek C. Waajen, Wessel de Wit, Natasha Nicholson, Luca Parmitano, Claire-Marie Loudon, Ralf Moeller, Petra Rettberg, Felix M. Fuchs, Rob Van Houdt, Kai Finster, Ilse Coninx, Jutta Krause, Andrea Koehler, Nicol Caplin, Lobke Zuijderduijn, Valfredo Zolesi, Michele Balsamo, Alessandro Mariani, Stefano S. Pellari, Fabrizio Carubia, Giacomo Luciani, Natalie Leys, Jeannine Doswald-Winkler, Magdalena Herova, Jennifer Wadsworth, R. Craig Everroad, Bernd Rattenbacher, Rene Demets, Charles S. Cockell
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Dagmar Koschnitzki, Ralf Moeller, Stefan Leuko, Bartos Przybyla, Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic, Reinhard Wirth, Harald Huber, Reinhard Rachel, Petra Rettberg
Summary: Radiation, either ionizing or non-ionizing, can harm cellular DNA integrity. Extremophilic microorganisms, like thermophilic archaea, show higher radiation tolerance. Ignicoccus hospitalis, a hyperthermophilic archaeon, displayed high survival and genome integrity under high doses of gamma radiation.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Alexandra Kristin Bashir, Lisa Wink, Stefanie Duller, Petra Schwendner, Charles Cockell, Petra Rettberg, Alexander Mahnert, Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic, Maria Bohmeier, Elke Rabbow, Frederic Gaboyer, Frances Westall, Nicolas Walter, Patricia Cabezas, Laura Garcia-Descalzo, Felipe Gomez, Mustapha Malki, Ricardo Amils, Pascale Ehrenfreund, Euan Monaghan, Pauline Vannier, Viggo Marteinsson, Armin Erlacher, George Tanski, Jens Strauss, Mina Bashir, Andreas Riedo, Christine Moissl-Eichinger
Summary: The study analyzed the characteristics and functions of microbial communities in extreme analogue environments, revealing their strong dependence on complex organic matter and impressive survival mechanisms. Additionally, a group of poly-extremophiles thriving in all study sites was identified. Furthermore, the presence of a core microbiome and microbial taxonomic similarities in extreme environments were highlighted.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Claudia Mosca, Claudia Fagliarone, Alessandro Napoli, Elke Rabbow, Petra Rettberg, Daniela Billi
Summary: The study showed that dried biofilms of Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 could be revived after exposure to space vacuum through DNA repair pathways, revealing a survival strategy against desiccation.
Article
Microbiology
Charles S. Cockell, Rosa Santomartino, Kai Finster, Annemiek C. Waajen, Natasha Nicholson, Claire-Marie Loudon, Lorna J. Eades, Ralf Moeller, Petra Rettberg, Felix M. Fuchs, Rob Van Houdt, Natalie Leys, Ilse Coninx, Jason Hatton, Luca Parmitano, Jutta Krause, Andrea Koehler, Nicol Caplin, Lobke Zuijderduijn, Alessandro Mariani, Stefano Pellari, Fabrizio Carubia, Giacomo Luciani, Michele Balsamo, Valfredo Zolesi, Jon Ochoa, Pia Sen, James A. J. Watt, Jeannine Doswald-Winkler, Magdalena Herova, Bernd Rattenbacher, Jennifer Wadsworth, R. Craig Everroad, Rene Demets
Summary: The study found that under different gravity conditions, Sphingomonas desiccabilis and Bacillus subtilis enhanced the leaching of vanadium by 184.92% to 283.22% compared to sterile controls. Gravity did not significantly affect the mean leaching rate, demonstrating the potential for biomining on Solar System objects.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic, Johanna Piepjohn, Andre Antunes, Petra Rettberg
Summary: Mars analogue environments on Earth are extreme and valuable sources for finding new polyextremophilic microbes. Space experiments simulating Martian conditions are crucial to substantiate the hypotheses of Mars habitability. A project testing the survival capability of selected model organisms under Mars-relevant stress factors found that adding artificial Mars regolith and sucrose could extend survival, while mixing organisms before treatment improved survival after exposure to Mars-like UV radiation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ASTROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Petra Schwendner, Andreas Riedo, Daniel J. Melton, Peter Horvath, Robert Lindner, Pascale Ehrenfreund, Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic, Petra Rettberg, Elke Rabbow, Frances Westall, Alexandra Bashir, Christine Moissl-Eichinger, Laura Garcia-Descalzo, Felipe Gomez, Ricardo Amils, Viggo Por Marteinsson, Nicolas Walter, Charles S. Cockell
Summary: The identification of reliable biomarkers is crucial for the search of extraterrestrial life. This study investigated if the anaerobic microbial metabolism of amino acids could leave a secondary biosignature indicating biological activity. The findings suggest that substantial anomalous enhancements of some amino acids may be a signature of the presence of biological processes.
FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jia-Hui Wu, Terry J. McGenity, Petra Rettberg, Marta F. Simoes, Wen-Jun Li, Andre Antunes
Summary: This paper provides an overview of published data on astrobiology-linked exposure experiments performed with members of the Halobacteria, identifying clear knowledge gaps and research opportunities.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Karen Olsson-Francis, Peter T. Doran, Vyacheslav Ilyin, Francois Raulin, Petra Rettberg, Gerhard Kminek, Maria-Paz Zorzano Mier, Athena Coustenis, Niklas Hedman, Omar Al Shehhi, Eleonora Ammannito, James Bernardini, Masaki Fujimoto, Olivier Grasset, Frank Groen, Alex Hayes, Sarah Gallagher, K. Praveen Kumar, Christian Mustin, Akiko Nakamura, Elaine Seasly, Yohey Suzuki, Jing Peng, Olga Prieto-Ballesteros, Silvio Sinibaldi, Kanyan Xu, Maxim Zaitsev
Summary: Planetary protection guidelines for Martian exploration have gained significant attention due to increasing scientific interest in the habitability of Mars, advancements in technology, and the involvement of various organizations in space activities. The COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection has developed international standards in consultation with the scientific community and space agencies, providing guidance for compliance with the Outer Space Treaty. In 2021, the Panel assessed recent scientific data and literature to evaluate the planetary protection requirements for Mars and discuss future steps for robotic missions.
LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charles S. Cockell, Rosa Santomartino, Kai Finster, Annemiek C. Waajen, Lorna J. Eades, Ralf Moeller, Petra Rettberg, Felix M. Fuchs, Rob Van Houdt, Natalie Leys, Ilse Coninx, Jason Hatton, Luca Parmitano, Jutta Krause, Andrea Koehler, Nicol Caplin, Lobke Zuijderduijn, Alessandro Mariani, Stefano S. Pellari, Fabrizio Carubia, Giacomo Luciani, Michele Balsamo, Valfredo Zolesi, Natasha Nicholson, Claire-Marie Loudon, Jeannine Doswald-Winkler, Magdalena Herova, Bernd Rattenbacher, Jennifer Wadsworth, R. Craig Everroad, Rene Demets
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)