Applied Microbiology at the Intersection of Astrobiology and Space Exploration – Current Work at DLR

Kurzfassung

Aerospace microbiology sits among the various disciplines that contribute to astrobiology, addressing the specific questions that arise where microbial life meets the conditions, technologies, and objectives of spaceflight and human space exploration. As such, it is currently undergoing a period of change, driven by the return to the Moon, upcoming commercial platforms and future free-flyers in low Earth orbit (LEO), as well as renewed attention to planetary protection, all shaped by broader shifts in the extended research landscape. Within this setting, the group maintains a set of research lines that span extremophile microbiology, biological radiation mitigation, microbial biomining, microbe–surface interactions, and contributions to bioregenerative life support. Bacteria and archaea are studied for their tolerance to radiation, vacuum, desiccation, temperature extremes, and simulated microgravity, feeding into planetary protection and habitability questions concerning Mars and the icy moons. Filamentous fungi, in particular melanised species, are investigated for their potential in biologically inspired radiation shielding. Filamentous fungi are also central to microbial biomining, where element and metal mobilization from terrestrial ores and from especially lunar regolith simulants is examined. Microbial interactions with technical surfaces in crewed habitats are followed with bacteria and fungi both in LEO, through experiments such as BIOFILMS or the project Touching Surfaces on the ISS, and on ground, through work on antimicrobial surface modifications. Much of this work builds on dedicated research infrastructure available on site in the facilities in Cologne. The Astrobiology Space Simulation Facility (ABYSS) allows exposure of biological samples to defined combinations of vacuum, temperature, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, and simulated planetary atmospheres, enabling controlled reproduction of relevant space and planetary surface conditions. The Altered Gravity Facilities complement this with clinostats, random positioning machines, and access to parabolic flight and drop-tower campaigns, covering the range from simulated microgravity to hypergravity. For the long-term planning, the LUNA analogue facility in Cologne opens the option to combine microbial monitoring, biomining, and antimicrobial materials testing under lunar surface conditions, together with ESA and international partners. The group welcomes collaborations and external users interested in these platforms and research lines, whether through joint projects, guest experiments, or shared use of the available infrastructure.