The mutant supermicrobes detected at the International Space Station have raised concerns due to their potential threat of becoming more aggressive in space, which could endanger human life in extraterrestrial environments. Institutions like NASA, Roscosmos, and JAXA are closely monitoring these changes in bacteria that are showing increased resistance and virulence under space conditions, including greater resistance to antibiotics.
According to research, certain microbes not only survive but thrive and strengthen in space. For example, an experiment conducted in 2006 with Salmonella typhimurium showed that the extreme conditions of space favor the growth of antibiotic-resistant strains. NASA, along with other space agencies, is working on projects to monitor and control the development of microorganisms in space. These alterations could pose a threat to the health of astronauts and future space missions.
Some factors contributing to these supermicrobes being more aggressive include microgravity, space radiation, and extreme stress conditions, which lead to mutations that increase bacterial resistance. These mutations not only promote the survival of microbes but also enhance their ability to form biofilms, making them more resistant to antibiotics.
NASA has identified resistant bacteria on the ISS since 2015, such as strains of Enterobacter bugandensis, which could pose a risk to astronauts. Additionally, bacteria such as Staphylococcus and fungi like Malassezia have been detected that can mutate in space, increasing the risk of infections. In light of these findings, countermeasures are being developed to control the proliferation of these supermicrobes in space.
In summary, studies conducted on the ISS have highlighted the ability of microbes to adapt and become more aggressive in space, posing a challenge to ensure the health of astronauts and the success of future space missions.
