Long-Term Survival of Bacterial Spores in Space
Abstract
On board of the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), spores of Bacillus subtilis in monolayers (10(6)/sample) or multilayers (10(8)/sample) were exposed to the space environment for nearly six years and their survival was analyzed after retrieval. The response to space parameters, such as vacuum (10(-6) Pa), solar electromagnetic radiation up to the highly energetic vacuum-ultraviolet range (10(9) J/m2) and/or cosmic radiation (4.8 Gy), was studied and compared to the results of a simultaneously running ground control experiment. If shielded against solar ultraviolet (UV)-radiation, up to 80 % of spores in multilayers survive in space. Solar UV-radiation, being the most deleterious parameter of space, reduces survival by 4 orders of magnitude or more. However, up to 10(4) viable spores were still recovered, even in completely unprotected samples. Substances, such as glucose or buffer salts serve as chemical protectants. With this 6 year study in space, experimental data are provided to the discussion on the likelihood of "Panspermia".
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Spores of Bacillus subtilis shielded against UV solar radiation are able to survive in outer space for nearly 6 years.
“Regardless of such hostile conditions, it has been proven that spores of Bacillus subtilis shielded against UV solar radiation are able to survive in outer space for nearly 6 years.”
From DNA Data Storage. (2023) · cites this paper as [8]
Only 1-2% of the B. subtilis spore population recovered after space exposure, but recovery increased to 90% if 5% glucose was added to the spore multilayer.
“Although only 1–2% of the population recovered, the outcome was significantly increased (even to 90% of population recovered) if 5% glucose was added to the spore multilayer.”
From DNA Data Storage. (2023) · cites this paper as [8]
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References 9 · Cited by 266
- Authors
- Horneck, G., Bücker, H., & Reitz, G.
- Affiliations
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) (DE)
- Venue
- Advances in Space Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1994-10
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 41-45
- ISSN
- 0273-1177 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2003273168
- Cited by
- 266
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 3.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Advances in Space Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- elib (German Aerospace Center) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Medical Device Sterilization and Disinfection
- Keywords
- bacterial spores, Bacillus subtilis, space environment, solar ultraviolet radiation, cosmic rays, vacuum exposure, Long Duration Exposure Facility, panspermia, glucose, buffer salts, spore viability
- MeSH terms
- Bacillus subtilis, Cosmic Radiation, Radiation Protection, Radiation Tolerance, Space Flight, Spores, Bacterial, Ultraviolet Rays, Vacuum, Spacecraft
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