NASA astronauts want to capture microbes in space – Indian Defence Review

NASA’s upcoming spacewalk could unveil the secrets of microbial life thriving in space. What if these tiny organisms hold clues to life’s origins? Discover how their resilience might reshape our understanding of existence beyond Earth.NASA is gearing up for a thrilling new mission that could shed some light on life beyond our home planet. This upcoming spacewalk, featuring NASA astronauts, will hone in on gathering traces of life from the surface of the International Space Station (ISS). Why is this so interesting? Because it could reveal how microbes and bacteria act in the unforgiving environment of space—a topic with big implications for both science and humanity.So, what’s the main goal here? Well, NASA wants to dive into how “microbes and bacteria function in a more than hostile environment.” Researchers are curious to see if these tiny organisms haven’t just survived but have also grown and multiplied while hanging out in space. Cracking this mystery could offer some cool insights into how resilient and adaptable these little guys are when faced with extreme conditions.NASA has a hunch that some microbes might’ve slipped out through the ISS vents. Once scooped up during the spacewalk, these critters will make their way back to Earth for a deep dive analysis. It’s all about figuring out their survival tricks and any mutations they’ve picked up while floating around up there.Space contamination is still a big deal for NASA. Even though they scrub down everything—suits and spacecraft included—before blasting off, you can’t totally wipe out the risk. These precautions are key to stopping cross-contamination that could mess with scientific results or safety.Over its 25-year run, the ISS has met its fair share of microbes, mostly hitching rides with astronauts. In space’s low-gravity and high-radiation setting, some microbes bite the dust while others adapt and change. These survivors can develop genetic tweaks not seen on Earth, offering a unique peek into evolution at work.NASA thinks that microbes facing off against space’s vacuum, intense solar radiation, and wild temperature swings will show some evolutionary changes. By checking out these adaptations, scientists hope to understand natural phenomena that might help humans handle similar tough conditions during long-haul space travel or even living in space someday.There’s also chatter among NASA folks about testing out the panspermia hypothesis with this experiment. Panspermia suggests life might’ve started in space and hitched a ride to Earth on meteorites—implying Earth’s oldest ancestors were actually alien microbes! If true, this idea could turn our understanding of life’s beginnings upside down.Some earthly creatures like algae and tardigrades have shown they can hack it in space conditions. These tough cookies give indirect evidence hinting at life’s cosmic origins far away from Earth. Their survival skills might spill secrets about how early microbial life hung on across vast interstellar distances.Beyond just collecting data, NASA’s aiming to dig deeper into panspermia through this mission. By studying how microorganisms adapt and evolve in space, they’re hoping to crack open mysteries that could redefine what we know about life’s possibilities throughout the universe.This upcoming mission from NASA holds huge potential for broadening our understanding of microbial life under extreme conditions. As we await findings from this groundbreaking research, it invites everyone—scientists and curious minds alike—to wonder what these tiny survivors can teach us about resilience, adaptation, and maybe even our own spot within the grand scheme of things in the cosmos.Got a reaction? Share your thoughts in the commentsEnjoyed this article? Subscribe to our free Newsletter for engaging stories, exclusive content, and the latest newsComment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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