Russian crew aboard the International Space Station are running a study that focuses on growing a culture of microorganisms. This update comes from Dmitry Petelin, a cosmonaut and TASS’s special correspondent aboard the space station, who provides on-site context about the mission.
The scientists have delivered experimental samples of fungal cultures derived from rosemary roots to the ISS as part of the Cascade project, which arrived with the Soyuz MS-23 vehicle. At launch, the samples were secured inside a sealed cultivator to maintain a controlled environment and minimize any potential contamination during transit.
To activate the cultures, seed and nutrient medium were introduced into the cultivator. When the device was powered up, it was placed inside a glove box to prevent any accidental release of microorganisms at the station, ensuring the station’s cleanroom conditions are preserved and the crew remains safe.
The objective of the experiment is to observe how the biomass grows under spaceflight conditions. The resulting data will be collected and sent back to Earth for analysis, with results planned for March, when scientists expect to gain insights into microbial behavior in microgravity and the effects on metabolic processes.
Previously, researchers posed questions about how specific metal-rich asteroid fragments might influence orbital dynamics and categorization in space studies. This ongoing program on the ISS exemplifies how microgravity research can illuminate the behavior of living organisms in closed, artificial environments and contribute to broader knowledge about life support systems for long-duration space missions.
The Cascade experiment builds on a growing body of work aimed at understanding how microorganisms adapt to space. By carefully controlling the cultivation environment and using rigorous containment measures, researchers are gathering data that could inform future studies, including efforts to develop biotechnologies for use in space habitats or for applications on Earth that require sterile, controlled growth conditions. The findings may also help scientists evaluate potential risks and benefits associated with introducing biological cultures into space environments, ensuring that exploration proceeds with responsibility and safety at the forefront.