Discovery of Dormant Bacteria in Spacecraft Clean Rooms

Recent research has uncovered a type of bacteria capable of surviving in spacecraft clean rooms by entering a dormant state. This discovery raises concerns about the potential transfer of these bacteria to other planets, which could impact extraterrestrial life.

Bacteria and Resistance to Harsh Conditions

The study shows that the bacteria known as Tersicoccus phoenicis can remain dormant, allowing it to survive rigorous sterilization processes. Unlike other bacteria that form spores to withstand harsh conditions, this bacterium enters a hibernation-like state without significant growth or metabolic activity.

In this state, the bacteria cannot be detected using traditional methods such as surface swabbing and bacterial culturing. This means they could reach spacecraft that are supposed to be free of Earth contaminants.

Discovery of T. phoenicis and Its Potential Implications

T. phoenicis was first discovered in a clean room at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Two years later, it appeared in a clean room of the European Space Agency. In 2013, scientists discovered that this bacterium is not only a new species but also a new genus of bacteria.

This bacterium belongs to a larger group known as actinobacteria, which have the ability to enter a dormant state when conditions are unfavorable for growth. A well-known example from this group is the tuberculosis bacterium.

Implications for Human Travel to Mars

The presence of these bacteria poses a challenge to plans for travel to Mars, as they could awaken upon reaching a nutrient-rich environment, such as those found in human space settlements. These bacteria could pose a threat, particularly in areas designated to protect astronauts’ personal environments.

However, scientists assert that the bacteria cannot survive on the Martian surface due to harsh environmental conditions, including high ultraviolet radiation, extreme cold, and low atmospheric pressure.

Need for Improved Cleaning Processes

The study highlights the need to develop new methods to detect and target non-spore-forming bacteria in clean rooms. Researchers are testing other types of bacteria to understand their potential for dormancy, which may necessitate a reevaluation of current cleaning procedures.

If future research confirms that a significant number of these organisms can enter a dormant state, we may face greater challenges in planetary protection.

Conclusion

The study of T. phoenicis’s ability to enter a dormant state is a crucial step in understanding how bacteria survive in clean environments. This research underscores the importance of improving methods for detecting and cleaning bacterial contaminants in space exploration, especially with plans for human travel to other planets like Mars. This study serves as a reminder of the need to prioritize planetary protection from unintended human contamination.