NASA Utilization of the International Space Station and the Vision for Space Exploration

Robinson, Julie A.; Thumm, Tracy; Thomas, Dave

doi:10.2514/6.iac-06-b4.1.07

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The ISS is a closed manned system exposed to microgravity and space radiation. It has HEPA filters to remove contaminants from the cabin atmosphere (12), and is cleaned weekly with a vacuum cleaner and 0.4% benzalkonium chloride antiseptic towelettes (BZK Antiseptic Towelette; PDI, New York, NY, USA). Cultures and FE‐SEM observations were negative in all orbital samples.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbe-I: fungal biota analyses of the Japanese experimental module KIBO of the International Space Station before launch and after being in orbit for about 460 days

Satoh

Nishiyama

Yamazaki

et al. 2011

Microbiology and Immunology

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In addition to the crew, microbes also find their way aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Therefore, microbial monitoring is necessary for the health and safety of the crew and for general maintenance of the facilities of this station. Samples were collected from three sites in the Japanese experimental module KIBO on the ISS (air diffuser, handrail, and surfaces) for analysis of fungal biota approximately 1 year after this module had docked with the ISS. Samples taken from KIBO before launch and from our laboratory were used as controls. In the case of KIBO, both microbe detection sheet (MDS) and swab culture tests of orbital samples were negative. The MDS were also examined by field emission-scanning electron microscopy; no microbial structures were detected. However, fungal DNAs were detected by real-time PCR and analyzed by the clone library method; Alternaria sp. and Malassezia spp. were the dominant species before launch and in space, respectively. The dominant species found in specimens from the air conditioner diffuser, lab bench, door push panel, and facility surfaces on our laboratory (ground controls) were Inonotus sp., Cladosporium sp., Malassezia spp., and Pezicula sp., respectively. The fungi in the KIBO were probably derived from contamination due to humans, while those in our laboratory came from the environment (e.g., the soil). In conclusion, the cleanliness in KIBO was equivalent to that in a clean room environment on the ground.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbe-I: fungal biota analyses of the Japanese experimental module KIBO of the International Space Station before launch and after being in orbit for about 460 days

Satoh

Nishiyama

Yamazaki

et al. 2011

Microbiology and Immunology

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“…The ISS applies high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove contaminants from the cabin atmosphere. 28 Moreover, weekly cleaning is performed with a vacuum cleaner and 0.4% benzalkonium chloride antiseptic towelettes (BZK Antiseptic Towelettes; PDI, New Jersey, USA). Culture results of the gelatin filters demonstrated that the air purifier was working properly, as no fungal colonies were detected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seven years of progress in determining fungal diversity and characterization of fungi isolated from the Japanese Experiment Module KIBO, International Space Station

Satoh

Alshahni

Umeda

et al. 2021

Microbiology and Immunology

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The International Space Station (ISS) is a closed facility that orbits the earth carrying not only its crew but also microorganisms. We have participated in microbiota analysis projects for the Japanese Experiment Module KIBO (ISS; operations nomenclature: Microbe-I, II, III, and IV) and were in charge of fungal screening. The interior of KIBO was sampled using swabs and microbe detection sheets (MDSs) for fungal detection. The dominant genera obtained by culture were Aspergillus and Penicillium. DNA analyses of the fungal biota using a clone library showed that KIBO was dominated by Malassezia, a fungal inhabitant of human skin. Three fungal species, Aspergillus sydowii, Penicillium palitans, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, which grew under microgravity in KIBO were observed under a field emissionscanning electron microscope on the ground. No novel phenotypic characteristics were noted. The results of antifungal susceptibility testing of all isolates did not differ significantly from previous reports of corresponding fungi. In Microbe-I (August 2009), MDSs were culture negative, while in the next stages the CFU of MDSs were 10 for Microbe-II (February 2011), 24 for Microbe-III (October 2012), and 151 for Microbe-IV (February 2015). These results indicated that fungi inside KIBO are increasing and expanding over time, and therefore continuous surveillance is crucial.

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“…This figure reflects that during the assembly phase, though the primary goal was not research, and with only three crew full‐time crewmembers on ISS, a number of investigations were still implemented that gave an early return on investment and informed and improved subsequent research (Robinson, Thumm, and Thomas, ). Our current ISS agreements give NASA authority to operate ISS until the year 2024 (Bolden and Holdren, ).…”

Section: The Engineering Achievementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first investigation on ISS was implemented in 1998, as soon as the first module launched, and before the first crewmembers arrived, and the payload was a physical sciences investigation that tested protein crystal growth in microgravity 〈http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/134.htm〉. Several U.S. investigations across a diverse research plan that included fundamental life and physical sciences research in microgravity had been successfully underway even as the ISS construction intensified (Robinson, Thumm, and Thomas, ) until the release of President Bush's Vision for Space Exploration in 2004 refocused NASA's utilization plans to research that would advance astronaut health, technology, and operational procedures that would advance exploration beyond LEO (NASA HQ, ). The life and physical sciences research portfolios of ISS were de‐emphasized until, in 2011, the National Research Council's Space Studies Board released Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration in response to President Obama's FY2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L.…”

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confidence: 99%

The International Space Station: Collaboration, Utilization, and Commercialization*

Ruttley

Robinson

Gerstenmaier

2017

Social Science Quarterly

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Objective. This article explores the many factors that have been involved in International Space Station (ISS) on-orbit utilization activities, and the approaches that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is taking to evaluate, communicate, and maximize the value of these activities. Methods. A review of the initiatives, stakeholders, vehicle assembly, science and technology outcomes, and benefits to Earth and space exploration illustrates the evolving nature of this unique microgravity research platform. Results. The ISS partnership works together to implement many strategic approaches to maximizing the ISS platform so that the full potential of this laboratory is realized.

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NASA Utilization of the International Space Station and the Vision for Space Exploration

Cited by 11 publications

References 7 publications

Microbe-I: fungal biota analyses of the Japanese experimental module KIBO of the International Space Station before launch and after being in orbit for about 460 days

Microbe-I: fungal biota analyses of the Japanese experimental module KIBO of the International Space Station before launch and after being in orbit for about 460 days

Seven years of progress in determining fungal diversity and characterization of fungi isolated from the Japanese Experiment Module KIBO, International Space Station

The International Space Station: Collaboration, Utilization, and Commercialization*

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