Microbial response to space radiation

Kurzfassung

Within the last 50 years, space technology has provided tools for transporting terrestrial life beyond this protective magnetic field in order to study in situ responses to selected conditions of space. From a biological perspective applicable to simple and complex organisms (ranging from biomolecules and microorganisms to humans) various influential physical modifications such as increased radiation exposure are experienced onboard an orbiting spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO), out- and inside the International Space Station (ISS), orbiting Moon or on the way to other astrobiological-interesting targets (Mars or icy moons). The majority of experiments on microorganisms in space were performed using Earth-orbiting robotic spacecraft or human-tended spacecraft, such as space shuttles and space stations. In-depth knowledge regarding the biological effects of the radiation field in space is required for assessing radiation risks to any life form in space. To obtain this knowledge, different microbial species have been studied as radiobiological model systems in space and on the ground. This session is aimed to give an overview on past, recent and future spaceflight and ground-based astrobiological experiments.