Astronomy
The European Space Agency has sent samples of bacteria and yeasts that are used to make Kombucha, an ancient brew drunk for centuries in Eurasia, to space to understand what forms of life can survive beyond Earth.
Tests on Earth have shown that these multicellular biofilms are tough and will most probably survive an unprotected trip through space. But there is only one way to tell for sure and that is why the Kombucha-making organisms and other biological specimens are now circling Earth exposed to space.
Previous studies by ESA have shown that a surprising number of organisms can survive the harsh conditions of space, including tardigrades, also known as water bears and lichens.
Last year ESA sent a new set of samples inside the Expose-R2 container on an 18-month trip in space to test how organisms and their molecular structure react to the combination of unfiltered solar light, cosmic radiation, vacuum and temperature changes found in space.
The Expose-R2 facility is flying 758 samples grouped into four experiments, with the Kombucha cultures part of the Biomex experiment.
Expose-R2 is bolted to the outside of the International Space Station to test how organisms and their molecular structure react to the combination of unfiltered solar light, cosmic radiation, vacuum and temperature changes found in space.
Kombucha cultures protect themselves against adverse conditions by making a cellulose-based structure to resist high temperatures and radiation. The biofilm is thick enough to see with the naked eye, even though it is created by microorganisms.
Searching for signs of biofilms in our Solar System is easier than looking for the microscopic life that creates them and could still reveal microbial life beyond our planet, ESA said.
On the ground, Kombucha cultures are particularly robust when mixed with simulated Moon dust. The cellulose absorbs minerals from the lunar soil, protecting the culture even more.
In addition, microbial cellulose is a promising nanomaterial for the space industry and studying it in open space has practical value for new technologies.
Life as we know it on Earth is composed of molecules with carbon atoms. Among the hundreds of test samples on Expose-R2, many are of these organic molecules. Exposed to the Sun's high-energy ultraviolet radiation, many organic chemicals break down to form new ones.
While ozone protects us from the worst the Sun sends our way, but planets without atmospheres, asteroids and now Expose-R2 experience the full blast. It is possible that organic chemicals mix under Sun's radiation to form new compounds.
Studies on Earth have shown that amino acids, the building blocks for proteins survive aspects of spaceflight better when mixed with meteorite dust. Several meteorites found on Earth contain an assortment of amino acids, obviously of extraterrestrial origin. It seems likely that amino acids can be found hidden in comets and asteroids such as Rosetta?s comet 67P.
Ground-based studies can only go so far, however, and the real test is an unprotected trip in space. Researchers are eagerly awaiting the results of Expose-R2 but have to be patient, as the samples will not be returned to Earth for analysis until next year.
source:- esa.int
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Astronomy
ESA sends Bacteria into Space to check their Surviving capabilities.
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| Installing the Expose-R2 facility on the International Space Station. |
Tests on Earth have shown that these multicellular biofilms are tough and will most probably survive an unprotected trip through space. But there is only one way to tell for sure and that is why the Kombucha-making organisms and other biological specimens are now circling Earth exposed to space.
Previous studies by ESA have shown that a surprising number of organisms can survive the harsh conditions of space, including tardigrades, also known as water bears and lichens.
Last year ESA sent a new set of samples inside the Expose-R2 container on an 18-month trip in space to test how organisms and their molecular structure react to the combination of unfiltered solar light, cosmic radiation, vacuum and temperature changes found in space.
The Expose-R2 facility is flying 758 samples grouped into four experiments, with the Kombucha cultures part of the Biomex experiment.
Expose-R2 is bolted to the outside of the International Space Station to test how organisms and their molecular structure react to the combination of unfiltered solar light, cosmic radiation, vacuum and temperature changes found in space.
Kombucha cultures protect themselves against adverse conditions by making a cellulose-based structure to resist high temperatures and radiation. The biofilm is thick enough to see with the naked eye, even though it is created by microorganisms.
Searching for signs of biofilms in our Solar System is easier than looking for the microscopic life that creates them and could still reveal microbial life beyond our planet, ESA said.
On the ground, Kombucha cultures are particularly robust when mixed with simulated Moon dust. The cellulose absorbs minerals from the lunar soil, protecting the culture even more.
In addition, microbial cellulose is a promising nanomaterial for the space industry and studying it in open space has practical value for new technologies.
Life as we know it on Earth is composed of molecules with carbon atoms. Among the hundreds of test samples on Expose-R2, many are of these organic molecules. Exposed to the Sun's high-energy ultraviolet radiation, many organic chemicals break down to form new ones.
While ozone protects us from the worst the Sun sends our way, but planets without atmospheres, asteroids and now Expose-R2 experience the full blast. It is possible that organic chemicals mix under Sun's radiation to form new compounds.
Studies on Earth have shown that amino acids, the building blocks for proteins survive aspects of spaceflight better when mixed with meteorite dust. Several meteorites found on Earth contain an assortment of amino acids, obviously of extraterrestrial origin. It seems likely that amino acids can be found hidden in comets and asteroids such as Rosetta?s comet 67P.
Ground-based studies can only go so far, however, and the real test is an unprotected trip in space. Researchers are eagerly awaiting the results of Expose-R2 but have to be patient, as the samples will not be returned to Earth for analysis until next year.
source:- esa.int
- Is There A Life In Universe ?
Glycine , an amino acid which is a fundamental building block of life has been found in a comet. This is the first time an amino acid has been found in a comet. Glycine, has been identified in the samples returned from comet Wild 2 by NASA's Stardust...
- Cool Stars Have Different Mix Of Life-forming Chemicals
Life on Earth is thought to have arisen from a hot soup of chemicals. Does this same soup exist on planets around other stars? A new study from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope hints that planets around stars cooler than our sun might possess a different...
- A Step Closer To Earth-like Planets
Earth- like planets with life-sustaining conditions are spining around stars in the galaxy of our neighbourhood but they have not been found yet, told by US astrophysics. There are few dozen solar-type stars whih are 30 light years of the sun- half of...
- Rosetta Have Found Oxygen On Comet 67p.
The European Space Agency's [ESA] Rosetta spacecraft has detected significant levels of molecular oxygen coming from Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in a discovery that has taken astronomers by surprise. Molecular oxygen has never been detected...
- Ultraviolet Astronomy-definition And Some Facts
If you are curious to know about Ultraviolet astronomy, then go through the following article on ultraviolet astronomy. Astronomy is one of the oldest science. Astronomy is the name of a unique scientific study of celestial objects like stars, planets...