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6mo ago

Study Suggests ISS Sterility May Harm Astronaut Health

Research finds the International Space Station's lack of microbial diversity could contribute to immune dysfunction and other health issues for astronauts.

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NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Woody Hoburg rides the Canadarm2 robotic arm while maneuvering a roll-out solar array toward the International Space Station’s truss structure 257 miles above the Pacific Ocean. In the rear, is the SpaceX Dragon crew vehicle that docked to the Harmony module’s forward port on March 3, 2023 carrying four SpaceX Crew-6 crew members.
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International Space Station over the planet earth Elements of this image furnished by NASA

Overview

  • The ISS has significantly lower microbial diversity compared to Earth environments, with most microbes originating from human skin and lacking soil- and water-associated bacteria.
  • Astronauts on the ISS frequently experience immune dysfunction, skin rashes, and inflammatory conditions, which researchers link to the overly sterile environment.
  • A study involving 803 surface swabs from the ISS revealed distinct microbial communities in different modules, heavily influenced by human activity and cleaning products.
  • Scientists propose introducing beneficial Earth microbes or using probiotic-based cleaning methods to improve astronaut health without compromising hygiene.
  • The findings have implications for long-term space missions and could inform strategies for maintaining health in similarly sterile environments on Earth.