What is the habitat of bacteria? Do bacteria survive in space too? What do you guys think about it? Yes, Bacteria tends to grow in the constantly recycled atmosphere of Space Station too. It’s a big issue faced by the Astronauts. Although it is difficult to maintain the cleanliness in spacecraft, they are trying to keep it tidy on every Saturday. The crew wipes the surface, vacuum and collects the waste in the space station.
Over the long duration, microorganisms tend to develop resistance, virulence to antibiotics and disinfectants. For a healthy person, these microbes may not cause health issues. But due to the unfit condition of the immune system of astronauts, these microbes may cause high risk for disease causing. The need for the development of independent monitoring of microbes and control system comes into relevance when spacecraft is left unmanned and not sterilized.
In 2016, French Space Agency CNES collaborated with ENS de Lyon and CEA-Leti took initiative for Matiss (Microbial Aerosol Tethering on Innovative Surfaces in the International Space Station) by ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Through the experiment, ‘antibacterial properties of hydrophobic (water-repelling) surface was analysed. Moreover, the Matiss experiment provides us with awareness about the mechanism of attaching biofilms by bacteria to surface in microgravity. The first Matiss experiment plaques launched on 17 November 2016 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan to the Space station.
They examined the performance of five advanced materials in the prevention of illness-causing microorganisms from growing and settling in microgravity. The experiment consists of plaques which contain five materials (for testing) and a glass lamella (control material). Units on the sides are open to collect any bacteria floating in the air. Ceramic- polymers, self-assembly monolayers, green polymers and water-repellant hybrid silica are the advanced materials in the sample used.
Experimental Evolution :
Matiss- 1, first set of experiment :
Through this experiment, a baseline was provided for researchers. In this, four sample holders (each contains five materials to be tested) set up at different locations for a duration of six months in the European Columbus Laboratory module. Researchers characterized deposits on the surface after the return to Earth. For establishing a reference for the type and level of contamination, a control material was used.
Matiss- 2 experiment :
The researchers aimed to know about the contamination spread over time across control and hydrophobic surfaces. Researchers set up four identical sample holders with three different types of materials at a single location.
Matiss- 2.5 experiment :
The experiment aimed to study the rate of contamination across hydrophobic surfaces using patterned samples spatially. In 2019, the samples returned to Earth after a year of experiment on SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft. The researchers hope to find out the best material for the cleaning purpose.
In addition to space, this experiment can further lead to the development of antibacterial surfaces on door handles, elevator buttons, in bars, high traffic areas, public transport etc. As man’s expedition increases with distance in space, the potential use and effectiveness of the material will become essential for designing future spacecraft.
Reference and more details : ESA , Springer Nature
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