In a unique science mission, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will embark on a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday. The mission's goal is to collect microbial samples from the station's outer surface as part of NASA's International Space Station Exterior Microbes project.
NASA will broadcast live the activities of this spacewalk, which will begin at 11:30 UTC. It will be a unique opportunity to follow this major scientific event via the official NASA channel or on specialized sites. During their spacewalk, the astronauts will collect samples from different areas of the station, particularly near the openings of the life support system. This work aims to determine whether the station emits microbes through these openings, as well as to study the size and distribution of these microorganisms inside the ISS.
This research is part of a larger study to understand how microbes move through space and how they interact with the extreme conditions of space vacuum. Through this project, NASA aims to answer many questions about how microbes adapt to planetary environments. While the International Space Station is currently the best model for these studies, scientists are working to analyze the impact of space radiation, rapid temperature changes, and other unique conditions on microbial life. The collected samples will be frozen in special containers before being sent back to Earth for further analysis using advanced techniques, such as DNA sequencing.
The research is not limited to identifying the types of microbes present. It also aims to better understand microbial contamination that could affect future missions, including those intended to explore planets like Mars. By studying the behavior of microbes in space, it will be possible to improve the design of spacecraft and astronaut suits to reduce the risks associated with biological contamination of celestial bodies.
It is worth noting that this study is part of a long-term research program aimed at collecting and analyzing more data. The collaboration between NASA and the Russian Space Agency "Roscosmos" has already led to major discoveries, such as the presence of non-spore-forming bacteria growing on the surface of the ISS. These results will contribute to the design of future space missions, especially those that aim to reach Mars, while ensuring the absence of contamination of the red planet and the protection of life on Earth.
