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Initial stage of Biodegradation and Biodeterioration in Space (Biodegradation)
04.26.13

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Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by T. A. Alekhova, and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Brief Summary

Biodegradation investigates the initial stages of the biodegrading and biodeterioration of surfaces of structural materials used in the ISS. These samples will help us understand what microorganisms are present on ISS and will help develop effective methods of protecting spacecraft surfaces such as new coatings and advanced biocides. The collected samples will be returned to Earth for detailed microbial analysis.

Principal Investigator(s)

  • T. A. Alekhova, Russia

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Developer(s)
    Information Pending

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)

    Sponsoring Organization

    Information Pending

    Research Benefits

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    April 2003 - March 2011

    Expeditions Assigned

    7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19/20,21/22,23/24,25/26

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

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    Experiment Description

    Research Overview

    Information Pending

    Description

    Development of biological safety assurance techniques for spacecraft based on the investigation of initial stages of colonization of surfaces of structural materials of habitation modules and SC external surfaces by various microorganisms.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    Information Pending

    Earth Applications

    Information Pending

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Biosamples kit, camera

    Operational Protocols

    Take samples of different areas around ISS and put them in the Biosamples kit for return to Earth.

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    Results/More Information

    Acquisition of new integrated data on colonization dynamics for various material surfaces, composition and structure of biological layers, destructive properties of their microorganisms, their sensitivity to various biocydes, that will allow to choose more advanced approaches for inhibition of harmful activity of destructive microorganisms, and purposefully proceed to development of effective methods of protecting SC structural and decorative materials against biological corrosion and biological damages.

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    Related Websites
  • Coordinating Scientific and Technical Council of the Russian Space Agency [Russian]
  • Energia - Science Research on the ISS Russian Segment

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    Imagery

    image A biosamples kit. Image courtesy of FSA.
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    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
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