Microorganisms, mold 'attack' Space Station: Will they harm astronauts?

The discovery of mold and microorganisms on space stations has scientists worried about the serious consequences that humans will suffer when they return to Earth.

In 1998, Russia's Peaceful Space Station (Mir) suddenly appeared many problems. Power outages happen more and more, computers fail, air control systems leak . making astronauts think that the space station has reached the age of aging because it has been in operation for 12 years. However, they discovered something very unexpected.

Discovering water droplets filled with fungi and Earth bacteria on the space station surprised the astronauts.

Unexpected Invasion into Space

It was when opening a circuit board to test, the astronauts found a few drops of black water. They are about the size of a soccer ball. After collection and analysis, they found that these droplets were filled with fungi and bacteria. These microorganisms are starting to multiply and corrode components and cables.

In 2018, the International Space Station (ISS) discovered more and more bacteria inside the station's enclosed space. In the gym and toilets, the scientists found five different types of gut bacteria growing. After statistics, they identified bacteria and mold both present in the station. In which, Staphylococcus bacteria accounted for 26%, Pantoea bacteria accounted for 23%. they return to Earth.

Even the bacteria that carry diseases on Earth such as Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that often hide on human skin accounts for 11% and Enterobacter bacteria that often affect the intestinal tract of animals accounted for less than 9%.

Many devices on the space station are attacked by bacteria and mold.

It is worth mentioning that the design and construction of space stations are guaranteed to be incredibly clean. From materials, workers to astronauts, all are put into a completely sterile environment before going to orbit. So where did the bacteria and mold found in space stations come from?

Bacteria and mold on Earth can cause many consequences for human health. Therefore, scientists wonder whether they are harmful to the body of astronauts? A study published in the journal Astrobiology answered these questions.

Bacteria and mold on the space station followed the astronauts and supplies to get there. (Photo: Baidu)

After conducting research, NASA concluded that the bacteria on the ISS have the same characteristics as the bacteria on Earth. They are of human origin. These bacteria and molds may have started from the day they installed the devices, said Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The rest are due to them clinging to new astronauts and supplies sent to the station.

Warning of countless new dangers

Because the truth is that the human body is a hiding place for many different types of bacteria. They choose our body as their home for life. Therefore, bacteria in the intestines or dead skin mites in the human body followed the astronauts to the space station. And in space, they learn to adapt to their new life as astronauts.

These microorganisms and molds have the ability to grow and modify genes to adapt to new life on the space station.

Microbiologists at the Medical University of Graz (Austria) conducted a study of the microbial community on the ISS space station. They collected and analyzed them. Christine Moissl-Eichinger, a representative of the research team, said that space in space is an extremely stressful environment. Not only for astronauts, microorganisms will also fall into the same situation.

After the study, the experts found that these microorganisms have evolved to adapt to the new environment. As a result, they worry that other harmful microorganisms and molds may also live on the space station. They can pose a danger to astronauts and space stations.

Of the 55 microorganisms found on the space station, many have developed resistance to antibiotics or are potentially harmful to humans. Microorganisms called Technophile, for example, have developed the ability to damage metals. However, this poses the risk that they can harm equipment on the ISS space station like what happened at the Mir Peace Space Station. As such, in the long run, Technophile microorganisms could make it difficult for astronauts to ensure the safety and management of the space station.

If not soon find a way to remove harmful microorganisms and mold on the space station, the astronauts are at risk of being affected.

In addition, in theory, these bacteria and microorganisms usually only cause health problems in people who live under stressful conditions or have severely compromised immune systems. But other studies have shown that the long-term stress of spaceflight affects the immune systems of astronauts. Like metal-eating Technophile microorganisms, other microorganisms and bacteria on the space station can also adversely affect astronauts.

In the current era of strong development of science and technology, sending people to space such as traveling to other planets will soon be deployed in the near future. Now, this is a new concern among scientists. Currently, the ISS is in the Van Allen radiation belt, so it is less exposed to radiation. But if you pass through this belt, the radiation exposure will be stronger and the microorganisms will be able to mutate genes more quickly. For scientists, there's actually an infinite amount of risk.

Scientists worry that harmful microorganisms and bacteria on the space station may follow the astronauts back to Earth and cause a pandemic similar to Covid-19.

In particular, when space travel becomes popular, dangerous bacteria in space will follow humans and return to Earth. Thus, our Earth can be "attacked" by these genetic mutant microorganisms from space. And can they cause pandemics like Covid-19? So, how do scientists prevent this "destruction"?

Prevent new "intruders"

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has developed a system of laboratories and living areas called Gateway to prevent bad threats from space. Accordingly, astronauts will come here and live there for a few weeks after returning from the Moon, Mars, other planets or from Earth to these places.

Only then can they leave and the place will be vacant for several months. Scientists say this is the best way to ensure Earth or other planets are not "contaminated" by microorganisms, bacteria or mold.

Astronauts must live in transit stations for several weeks before and after returning from other planets to avoid the risk of bringing harmful microorganisms and bacteria. (

Besides, a new regulation has also been set for astronauts in controlling the microbial population on space stations. That is, weekly, they will have to wipe the surfaces of devices and objects with antibacterial wipes. In addition, they also had to use vacuum cleaners to suck up debris scattered inside the station. These activities are to keep areas clean and to help prevent mold growth on the equipment.

They also use technical means to filter the air and keep the water clean. Scientists believe that only by adopting these measures can we reduce the risk and damage caused by harmful bacteria, microorganisms and molds.