Wardrobe malfunctions are never fun.
When on Earth, they might be a nuisance or prove somewhat embarrassing.
Inspacehowever, they could be a matter of life and death.
Not to mention, how do you handle, uhm, laundry on the Moon?
Keeping your underwear clean, in space
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(The abbreviation stands for Biocidal Advanced Coating Technology for Reducing Microbial Activity.)
Instead we needed to find alternative solutions to avoid microbial growth.
The team then turned to what are called secondary metabolites.
Their functions involve protection from pathogens and other organisms, which is what lends them their antibiotic qualities.
Where humans go, bacteria will follow.
Many of these microorganisms are literally vital to life on Earth.
They may also become essential in everything fromproducing rocket fuelto manufacturing food on longer space missions to Mars.
Whats more, there is evidence some species cansurvive in the harsh environment of spacefor years.
Keeping harmful bacteria at bay is crucial to a successful space mission.
Some teeny-tiny astronauts are even brought along on purpose, for space microbiology research.
Story byLinnea Ahlgren
Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023.
Dabbles in gaming and fitness wearables.
But first, coffee.
