Latest news with #PhoenixMars
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Never-before-seen 'extreme' microbes surrounded NASA robot before it was sent to Mars 18 years ago, new study reveals
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Dozens of never-before-seen species of "extremophile" bacteria were hiding in a NASA clean room used to quarantine a Mars lander before it was successfully launched to the Red Planet more than 17 years ago, a new study reveals. Some of the hardy microbes may be capable of surviving the vacuum of space. However, there is no evidence that the spacecraft or Mars were contaminated. NASA's Phoenix Mars lander touched down on the Red Planet on May 25, 2008, and spent 161 days (156 Martian days) collecting a variety of data, before suddenly going offline. Around 10 months before arriving on Mars, the lander spent several days inside a clean room at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, before being launched from neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (then known as Cape Canaveral Air Force Station) on Aug. 4, 2007, according to Live Science's sister site Clean rooms are spaces where spacecraft and their payloads are quarantined before launches and upon reentry to Earth, in order to prevent environmental contamination by microbes and keep them free of potentially damaging particles, according to NASA. These spaces are sterilized, pressurized, constantly vacuumed and supplied with air via special filters that keep out 99.97% of all airborne particles. Anybody entering the room must wear an all-in-one "bunny suit" and have an air shower before entering. But all of these measures still can't keep everything out. When researchers reanalyzed samples collected from the Phoenix lander clean room before, during and after the spacecraft was quarantined there, they found DNA from 26 novel species of bacteria. The team reported their findings in a study published May 12 in the journal Microbiome. Related: Alien organisms could hitch a ride on our spacecraft and contaminate Earth, scientists warn Most of the newly described microbes displayed at least some characteristics that made them resistant to harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pressures and levels of radiation. Some had genes associated with DNA repair, detoxification of harmful molecules, and improved metabolism, and may even be able to survive the vacuum of space, the researchers wrote. "Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space," study co-author Alexandre Rosado, a microbiologist at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, said in a statement. "This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonization of exploring planets." The newly described species made up just under a quarter of all the species identified in the room, most of which also had extremophile properties. This suggests spacecraft clean rooms could be an excellent place to search for more of these hardy microbes. RELATED STORIES —NASA finally opens capsule to potentially hazardous asteroid 'Bennu' that may contain seeds of life —The Apollo moon landing was real, but NASA's quarantine procedure was not —NASA may have unknowingly found and killed alien life on Mars 50 years ago, scientist claims Finding new extremophiles is important because it can help researchers predict what potential extraterrestrial microbes might look like and how we can prevent them from contaminating Earth. Some of them also produce substances, such as biofilms, that have potential applications in medicine, food preservation and biotechnologies. "Together, we are unraveling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space — organisms with the potential to revolutionize the life sciences, bioengineering, and interplanetary exploration," study co-author Kasthuri Venkateswaran, a retired senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in the statement.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
An Unknown Microbe Snuck Onto China's Space Station. Could It Infect the Universe?
Two new studies show how difficult it is to keep microbes from traveling into Earth orbit and beyond. Chinese scientists report that they've found a novel bacteria on the Tiangong space station, but can't confirm if it evolved on the station itself or on Earth before hitching a ride skyward. Similarly, a separate study shows that NASA's clean room—used for the Phoenix Mars lander mission—also contained 26 novel bacteria species. Bacteria seem to thrive anywhere—even in places where they are least wanted. In the past week, we've have gotten a pretty stark reminder that these microbes can survive and thrive in the most unlikely of places. The first case concerns China's Tiangong space station. Around 20 percent the size of the International Space Station (ISS), Tiangong similarly conducts experiments in fields ranging from physics to biotechnology and beyond—at last count, the station has enabled some 180 scientific investigations. One of those investigations, known as the Habitation Area Microbiome Programme, called for Chinese astronauts (known as hángtiān yuán or 'space travelers') to collect swabs of the interior cabin of the three-capsule Tiangong in two surveys. Swabs obtained in May of 2023 are now the subject of a new study that highlights the novel microbiome environment of the space station, which is even different from similar spacecraft like the ISS. This space-based microbiome now includes a novel bacteria, identified in a study published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. Known as Niallia tiangongensis—a nod to the orbital environment in which it was discovered—the bacteria isn't wholly alien. Instead, it appears to be a close relative of Niallia circulans, which is typically found in soils on Earth and is known to be the cause of some wound infections (the bacteria was classified under the genus Bacillus until 2020). 'Understanding the characteristics of microbes during long-term space missions is essential for safeguarding the health of astronauts and maintaining the functionality of spacecraft,' the authors wrote. 'Based on phenotypic, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genome annotation, [the novel bacteria] was considered a novel species within the genus Niallia.' But do we really need to understand the threat of bacteria in space? After all, NASA has clean rooms for this very reason, right? Yeah, about that… Another study—published earlier this month as part of a collaboration between scientists from NASA, Saudi Arabia, and India—found that NASA's clean rooms, which were used during the Phoenix Mars lander mission (originally launched in 2007), were chock-full of hearty microbes. 26 of those microbes were completely unknown to science. 'Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space,' Alexandre Rosado, the lead author of a study published in the journal Microbiome, said in a press statement. 'This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonization of exploring planets.' With more than two dozen rovers and landers sent to Mars, microbes have almost certainly hitched a ride to the Red Planet, which can complicate matters when a mission's goal is to search for native microbial life. The very act of sending Earth-based organisms to other planets would likely violate some kind of Star Trek-ian microbial Prime Directive. In Tiangong's case, scientists can't be sure if this novel bacteria evolved while on the space station, or if it came to be on Earth and simply hitched a ride via rocket. Humans may be the most adept space explorers among eukaryotes, but when it comes to pure numbers, no one holds a candle to prokaryotic bacteria. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA 'cleanrooms' found crawling with 26 new bacterial species
Wait, aren't "clean" rooms supposed to be, well, "clean" of germs and other pesky microscopic particles? Maybe not: A new study reports 26 new bacterial species were found growing inside cleanrooms associated with NASA space missions. Specifically, scientists looked in the cleanrooms used to prepare the Phoenix Mars lander for its August 2007 launch. In the study, scientists analyzed microorganisms growing in the NASA cleanrooms, and discovered many of the new species possessed genes that made them resilient to decontamination and radiation. "We are unraveling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space – organisms with the potential to revolutionize the life sciences, bioengineering, and interplanetary exploration," said Kasthuri Venkateswaran, retired senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a lead author of the study, in a statement. Spacecraft are assembled in cleanrooms, which are highly specialized facilities engineered to maintain exceptionally low levels of dust and microorganisms. Cleanrooms are key as spacecraft are built and tested: Even tiny particles or contamination can impact delicate instruments and sensitive components. These controlled environments are extreme in their own right, with tightly regulated airflow, temperature and humidity that inhibit microbial survival. However, some microorganisms – known as "extremophiles" – thrive in such environments. "Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space," said study team member Alexandre Rosado from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. "This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonization of exploring planets," he added. These previously unknown and newly described species carry genetic traits associated with resilience to extreme environments such as those found in space. Some of the discovered genes were associated with DNA repair, the detoxification of harmful molecules and improved metabolism, all of which increased the species' survivability. Scientists said these genes could lead to new biotechnologies that benefit food preservation and medicine. "These findings not only raise important considerations for planetary protection but also open the door for biotechnological innovation," said Junia Schultz, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST, who was the first author of the study. "Space travel provides an opportunity to study microorganisms that possess relevant stress-resistance genes," Schultz added. "The genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation, and other industries." The study was published May 12 in the journal Microbiome. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA 'cleanrooms' found crawling with new species of bacteria
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Science
- USA Today
NASA 'cleanrooms' found crawling with 26 new bacterial species
NASA 'cleanrooms' found crawling with 26 new bacterial species Show Caption Hide Caption NASA's Space Launch System, Orion capsule face budget uncertainty A budget proposal from the White House could reduce NASA's budget by about $6 billion, or 25%. Many of these species possess genes that make them resistant to decontamination and radiation, potentially posing a risk of interplanetary contamination. These "extremophile" microorganisms could lead to new biotechnologies in fields like medicine and food preservation. Scientists believe studying these extremophiles could revolutionize life sciences, bioengineering, and space exploration. Wait, aren't "clean" rooms supposed to be, well, "clean" of germs and other pesky microscopic particles? Maybe not: A new study reports 26 new bacterial species were found growing inside cleanrooms associated with NASA space missions. Specifically, scientists looked in the cleanrooms used to prepare the Phoenix Mars lander for its August 2007 launch. In the study, scientists analyzed microorganisms growing in the NASA cleanrooms, and discovered many of the new species possessed genes that made them resilient to decontamination and radiation. "We are unraveling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space – organisms with the potential to revolutionize the life sciences, bioengineering, and interplanetary exploration," said Kasthuri Venkateswaran, retired senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a lead author of the study, in a statement. What is a cleanroom? Spacecraft are assembled in cleanrooms, which are highly specialized facilities engineered to maintain exceptionally low levels of dust and microorganisms. Cleanrooms are key as spacecraft are built and tested: Even tiny particles or contamination can impact delicate instruments and sensitive components. These controlled environments are extreme in their own right, with tightly regulated airflow, temperature and humidity that inhibit microbial survival. However, some microorganisms – known as "extremophiles" – thrive in such environments. 'Extremophiles' can survive in space "Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space," said study team member Alexandre Rosado from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. "This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonization of exploring planets," he added. New biotechnologies possible These previously unknown and newly described species carry genetic traits associated with resilience to extreme environments such as those found in space. Some of the discovered genes were associated with DNA repair, the detoxification of harmful molecules and improved metabolism, all of which increased the species' survivability. Scientists said these genes could lead to new biotechnologies that benefit food preservation and medicine. "These findings not only raise important considerations for planetary protection but also open the door for biotechnological innovation," said Junia Schultz, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST, who was the first author of the study. "Space travel provides an opportunity to study microorganisms that possess relevant stress-resistance genes," Schultz added. "The genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation, and other industries." The study was published May 12 in the journal Microbiome.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
26 unknown bacterial species found in 'clean rooms' used to prep NASA's Phoenix Mars lander
credit: NASA/JPL/LMSS/pheonix mars lander Imagine this: This is a high-tech, crystal-clean, and sterile room designed to prevent any earthly contaminants from hitchhiking a ride to Mars. You can imagine this, right? Because on the inside, you know that a high-tech operating room would be squeaky clean. Well, the irony is that, in a surprising turn of events, scientists have discovered 26 new species of bacteria that are thriving in NASA 's so-called 'clean' spacecraft facilities. These findings were recently discovered from a study conducted by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, along with researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The team, although they came to this high-tech operating room for a different purpose and were investigating a potential microbial contamination in NASA's clean rooms, instead returned with a unique discovery in itself. Reportedly, the team collected samples from the facility where the Phoenix Mars lander was prepared for its 2007 mission. Upon scanning the place, the doctors found that those microbes had survived. These microorganisms are known as extremophiles and are capable of surviving even the harsh, sterilized environments that most microorganisms would not. credit: NASA/JPL What is a clean room? A clean room within a space facility is a specially controlled environment that is optimized to hold extremely low concentrations of dust, airborne particles, and contaminants. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Trend Lets Indians Access Benefits Up to ₹2,00,00,000 India News Learn More Undo They play a crucial role in aerospace engineering, particularly when designing, assembling, and testing spacecraft, satellites, and instruments, for which even small particles can result in catastrophic failure in space. What was the team's initial discovery? During their thorough investigation, they had unexpectedly encountered 53 bacterial strains, 26 of which were previously known to science. A particular new species was discovered, known as Neobacillus Driksii, named after the microbiologist Dr. R. S. Drik. it is known to produce a unique antimicrobial peptide, which is called paeninodin. A fact that you will be shocked to know is that this bacterium's resilience to sterilization makes it significant in planetary protection and potential application in medicine. "The genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation and other industries," said Junia Schultz, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST. What does this mean for NASA further? This unexpected discovery has raised a lot of ethical questions about the robustness of life and the complexities that would further come up for space exploration. If you stop to think, the entire purpose of this facility is to ensure that no microorganism, such as bacteria or any type of fungi, makes its way onto a spacecraft. Yet, despite their vigorous sterilization process, these extremophiles were able to endure, adding a layer of complexity to NASA's planetary protection protocols. This question becomes particularly relevant when we think of the search for life on Mars and other planets. With more missions to explore Mars coming up, scientists are required to exercise caution to avoid cross-contamination between Earth and extraterrestrial bodies. The fact that these resilient microbes are found in the clean rooms indicates that even the best sterilization measures might not be sufficient to ensure that our equipment and spacecraft are completely devoid of terrestrial life. This would result in more efficient approaches to sterilization and containment in the future, as space organizations strive to avoid contamination of microorganisms. If we can take lessons from these stress-tolerant organisms, we may be able to develop more efficient mechanisms for avoiding the transmission of infectious pathogens in hospitals, research labs, and other high-stakes environments. What do we learn from this? Regardless of how advanced our technology is, life has a way of evolving and persisting, even in the most unlikely and artificial settings. It also demonstrates the unanticipated manner in which exploration in space results in discoveries that hold significant implications for both medicine and science. As NASA and other space agencies press on with their mission to explore far-off worlds, they are also bringing new information to light about life on our planet, laying open doors to technologies that can help humanity in ways they never could have imagined.
