Microbial life and the risk of interplanetary contamination in space exploration

Rock sample analyzes carried out by NASA's Perseverance spacecraft on Mars and astronomers' efforts to listen to radio signals from the universe serve one main purpose: to find traces of life beyond Earth. However, according to experts, the aliens sought will be in microbial form rather than the green creatures in the movies.

Astrobiologist Dr., who works jointly with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Michaela Musilova states that the organisms most likely to survive in adverse space conditions are bacteria. Stating that some bacteria on Earth can form a radiation-resistant "spore" form by forming a protective shell, Musilova points out that these microbes can survive in space for many years.

SAMPLES TO BE BROUGHT TO THE WORLD AND THE RISK OF 'CONTAMINATION'

One of the most critical questions that astronomers and medical experts are seeking answers to is whether microbial life brought from space can make people sick. Although experts state that the risk of damaging the Earth from surface samples taken from Mars is "extremely low", institutions such as NASA and ESA are planning high-level security measures against possible threats.

ESA scientist Silvio Sinibaldi states that specially secured laboratories have been designed to store and examine the collected samples, and even the outer surfaces of the spacecraft carrying the samples are meticulously inspected for potential microbes.

THE SPACE ENVIRONMENT MAKES BACTERIA MORE DANGEROUS

On the other hand, on the other side of the coin, there are the risks posed by the microbes that humanity carries into space. Former astronaut and microbiologist Dr. Kate Rubins emphasizes that some bacteria exposed to microgravity and space flight stress activate their virulence (disease-causing capacity) genes.

Research shows that bacteria become more pathogenic (disease-causing) in the space environment and at the same time, dormant viruses (shingles, etc.) can be reactivated due to the weakening of the astronauts' immune system.

INTERPLANETARY POLLUTION THREATENS SCIENTIFIC STUDIES

Microbes carried into space by humans also endanger the reliability of scientific research conducted on other planets. Referring to the possibility of Earth-borne microbes being found in vehicles sent to Mars, Musilova warns, "If one day we find life on Mars, we will first need to check whether it is of Earth origin."

To minimize this risk, projects such as the Rosalind Franklin rover, which ESA plans to launch in 2028, are being prepared in extremely sterile environments. An attempt is made to limit microbial presence in vehicles sterilized by methods such as dry heat, UV and gamma radiation.

When planning long-term Moon and Mars missions, microbial mutations and weakening of the immune system are seen as the most critical obstacles to astronaut health.