Expedition 74 conducts microbiology experiments and maintenance aboard ISS

Members of Expedition 74 spent Tuesday on microbiology research, Earth observation and station maintenance aboard the International Space Station. NASA Flight Engineer Chris Williams processed samples of a bacterial pathogen inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox, testing ways to prevent biofilm formation where water is present on spacecraft.

The microbe samples were housed in a specialized cell culture chamber called a BioCell and exposed to different levels of ultraviolet light to study inhibition of microbial growth and reduce reliance on chemical disinfectants; the report said results may lead to safer life support and medical systems, more durable spacecraft materials, and healthier humans on and off the Earth.

Roscosmos Flight Engineer Sergei Mikaev supported two Earth observation studies and performed equipment servicing. He deconfigured an automated overnight photography session that captured Earth’s nighttime airglow in near-ultraviolet wavelengths — a glow caused by atoms and molecules excited by solar ultraviolet radiation during the day — then photographed landmarks across Africa and the Middle East to help researchers understand how natural disasters affect surrounding landscapes.

Mikaev also cleaned fans inside the Progress 92 cargo craft, transferred water between station tanks and inspected water valves for microbes.

Key Topics

Science, International Space Station, Kibo Module, Life Science Glovebox, Biofilms, Airglow