the-sun.com Three lifeforms ‘unknown to science’ discovered INSIDE the ISS by astronauts... Harry Pettit 5-6 minutes THREE entirely new lifeforms have been discovered at different locations onboard the International Space Station. A team of US and Indian scientists studied four strains of bacteria found on the orbiting lab, and say that three were previously unknown to science. 3 Three never-before-seen strains of bacteria have been discovered on the ISSCredit: AFP Their discovery could help future astronauts grow food on missions into deep space, researchers wrote in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. Three of the strains were collected by astronauts in 2015 and 2016. One was in an overhead panel in a research lab, the second in the station’s Cupola viewing deck, and the third on the crew’s dining table. The fourth strain was captured from an old cabin air filter that was returned to Earth ten years ago. 3 One of the strains was discovered on the ISS viewing deckCredit: nasa Working with Nasa, researchers from the University of Southern California identified that the bacteria belonged to the family Methylobacteriaceae. They've opted to name the new species Methylobacterium ajmalii in honour of renowned Indian biodiversity scientist Dr Ajmal Khan. The tiny organisms all belong to a "good" family of bacteria found in soil and freshwater here on Earth. They're are involved in nitrogen fixation processes, plant growth, and in fighting plant pathogens. 3 Nasa recently landed its Perseverance rover on Mars to hunt for signs of past lifeCredit: Reuters It means they were almost certainly carried up to the station from Earth aboard one of the dozens of spacecraft that travel there every year. It's thought that the strains could lend a hand in developing crops that can grow in space. Nasa's Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran and Dr Nitin Kumar Singh said that the bacteria may possess DNA that's useful for extra-terrestrial farming. By isolating these genes and investigating them, scientists could narrow down their search for plants that can survive for long periods on spacecraft. What is the ISS? Here's what you need to know about the International Space Station... The International Space Station, often abbreviated to ISS, is a large space craft that orbits Earth and houses astronauts who go up there to complete scientific missions Many countries worked together to build it and they work together to use it It is made up of many pieces, which astronauts had to send up individually on rockets and put together from 1998 to 2000 Ever since the year 2000, people have lived on the ISS Nasa uses the station to learn about living and working in space It is approximately 250 miles above Earth and orbits around the planet just like a satellite Living inside the ISS is said to be like living inside a big house with five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a gym, lots of science labs and a big bay window for viewing Earth Dr Venkateswaran and Dr Singh cautioned, however, that more research must be done to prove that the organisms could lead to a breakthrough. "To grow plants in extreme places where resources are minimal, isolation of novel microbes that help to promote plant growth under stressful conditions is essential," they said. "Since our group possess expertise in cultivating microorganisms from extreme niches, we have been tasked by the NASA Space Biology Program to survey the ISS for the presence and persistence of the microorganisms. "Needless to say, the ISS is a cleanly-maintained extreme environment. Crew safety is the number one priority and hence understanding human/plant pathogens are important, but beneficial microbes like this novel Methylobacterium ajmalii are also needed."
Sounds like the plot of a Doctor Who episode arch. Well, the good Doctor Who, not the garbage they pass off as Doctor Who
What is the value of a Space Force billion dollar budget line if there is no use for it? I agree. Send in shock troops and waste the bacteria with laser rifles or germ grenades..
Lets get some good use and send a Mars space ship up there, for a scientist transfer and journey to the Red planet.
