Astronauts set to swab the exterior of station for microbial life

NASA spacewalkers to swab the ISS for microbial life

Learning how to deal with the microorganisms hitching a ride with humans

Astronauts set to swab the exterior of station for microbial life

Astronauts are scheduled to venture outside the International Space Station to collect microbiological samples during crew spacewalks for the ISS External Microorganisms experiment. This investigation focuses on sampling at sites near life support system vents to examine whether the spacecraft releases microorganisms, how many, and how far they may travel.

If organisms survive the harsh conditions of space, it could also prove a theory about the origin of life.

Sunita Williams to swab exterior of space station for hardy microbes

New Delhi: NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams, currently the commander of the International Space Station (ISS) will be conducting the a spacewalk on 30 January, along with Boeing Starliner crewmate Barry Wilmore. The two astronauts will exit from the Quest airlock and investigate any hardy microorganisms eking out a living on the exterior of the orbital complex. The microbiological samples will be examined in the ISS External Microorganisms experim…

How NASA astronauts are searching for life in space

(NASA/ISS via SWNS) By Dean Murray Astronauts are to search for life in space - clinging to the International Space Station. NASA crew will swab the exterior of the orbital outpost next week to collect microbiological samples surviving in the vacuum of space. The External Microorganisms experiment could help researchers understand how so-called extremophiles - organisms able to live in extreme environments - may affect human life on Mars and the…

Astronauts Set to Swab the Exterior of Station for Microbial Life

NASA astronaut Victor Glover tests collection methods for ISS External Microorganisms in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab at Johnson Space Center.NASA Astronauts are scheduled to venture outside the International Space Station to collect microbiological samples during crew spacewalks for the ISS External Microorganisms experiment. This investigation focuses on sampling at sites near life support system vents to examine whether the spacecraft releases mi…