Survival of micro-organisms in space |
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| Authors: | Peter R Lorenz John Hotchin Aletha S Markusen Gert B Orlob Curtis L Hemenway Douglas S Hallgren |
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| Institution: | (1) Dudley Observatory and Div. of Laboratories and Research of the New York State Dept. of Health, USA;(2) Special Projects Research Laboratory, Div. of Laboratories and Research of the New York State Dept. of Health, USA;(3) Albany Medical College, Albany, USA;(4) State University of New York at Albany, Albany, USA;(5) South Dakota State University, South Dakota, USA;(6) Present address: Dept. of Botany, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada;(7) Dudley Observatory and State University of New York at Albany, Albany, USA;(8) Dudley Observatory at Albany, New York |
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| Abstract: | Dried suspensions ofPenicillium roqueforti Thom, Coliphage T-1,Bacillus subtilis and tobacco mosaic virus were exposed to space on board the Gemini-IX-A and XII earth satellites and the Agena-VIII space rocket. All micro-organisms tested survived the direct exposure during the Gemini-IX-A experiment. In the Gemini-XII experiment only the T-1 phage survived the direct exposure. The survival was influenced by the suspending medium and depended on the species of the microorganism. After four months of space flight on the Agena-VIII space rocket surviving fractions between 2×10–3 and 1.0 were found in the unopened flight container. However, micro-organisms exposed on the cover of the container during this period were completely inactivated. Shielding against solar ultraviolet radiation during flight resulted in survival of micro-organisms exceeding to that of the transport controls, and the survival was considered complete.Sterile methylcellulose collection surfaces were exposed to space on board the Gemini-IX-A and XII satellites in an attempt to collect viable micro-organisms in space. None of the collection surfaces yielded viable micro-organisms. |
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