 "Fresh trouble for Sunita Williams? How drug resistant spacebug found on ISS is causing panic")
Sunita Williams keeps running into trouble on the International Space Station (ISS).
First, it was the NASA’s Boeing Starliner experiencing thruster malfunctions while trying to dock.
Now, a spacebug that could potentially endanger the lives of the Indian-origin NASA astronaut and the crew has been detected at the ISS.
But what is it? What do we know about it?
Let’s take a closer look:
What is it?
According to NASA, scientists have discovered a bacteria named Enterobacter bugandensis in the International Space Station.
These bacteria are usually found in soil, sewage, and as flora in the human gastrointestinal tract, as per BMC Microbiol.
They are usually associated with hospital-acquired infections in humans.
They can cause bacteremia (bacteria in blood), endocarditis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, skin and soft tissue infections, lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, and intra-abdominal infections.
What do we know about the bacteria on ISS?
Thirteen strains of the notoriously drug resistant bacteria E bugandensis have been found on the ISS.
They have been found at various locations within the space station.
The strains, in the isolated environment of the ISS, have mutated over time. They have thus become genetically diverse from their counterparts on Earth.
The bug, which infects the respiratory system, is often described as a ‘superbug’ because it is multi-drug resistant.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBut don’t get it twisted.
Spacebugs aren’t some form of extra-terrestrial life.
They get aboard the ISS by riding as co-passengers on astronauts or on the rockets.
Not only did E bugandensis coexisted with multiple other microorganisms, in some cases it could even have helped those organisms survive, as per NASA.
Why does it matter?
According to research published in the scientific journal Microbiome, this is because microorganisms play a unique role on the ISS.
This despite its highly controlled environment with microgravity, increased levels of carbon dioxide, increased solar radiation.
“These microbial inhabitants play a significant role in influencing the health and well-being of astronauts on board,” research in the journal states.
NASA cited senior research scientist Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as saying, “Our research uncovers how certain benign microorganisms help to adapt and survive opportunistic human pathogen, E. bugandensis, in the unfavourable conditions of the International Space Station.”
“The knowledge gained from this study would shed light on microbial behaviour, adaptation, and evolution in extreme, isolated environments that allow in designing novel countermeasure strategies to eradicate opportunistic pathogens, thus protecting the health of astronauts,” he added.
According to Microbiome, the findings shed light on microbial behaviour, adaptation, and evolution in extreme, isolated environments.
They also underscore the need for robust preventive measures, ensuring the health and safety of astronauts by mitigating risks associated with potential pathogenic threats.
NDTV quoted professor Karthik Raman, who published research on E. bugandensis in the scientific journal Microbiome, as saying, “Microbes continue to puzzle us by growing in the most challenging conditions.”
About the mission
The 59-year-old Williams created history by becoming the first woman to fly on the maiden mission of a new human-rated spacecraft.
The first human flight was slated on 7 May, but was delayed over a helium leak and later due to an issue with the ground power supply at the ULA.
Butch, 61, commanded the flight, and Williams piloted the flight.
The duo are staying at the International Space Station for about a week before returning to Earth aboard the reusable crew capsule.
The Starliner mission aims to carry astronauts and cargo for future NASA missions to low Earth orbit, and beyond.
Williams received her commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy from the United States Naval Academy in May 1987 and was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998.
The Expedition 71 crew greeted Williams and Willmore aboard the ISS after Starliner docked at approximately 11:04 pm IST on Friday, about 26 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (USA), a statement from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said.
A video of the moment shared by NASA on their social media handle showed Williams entering the ISS docking area first to the loud clapping from the Expedition 71 colleagues as one of them rang the metal bell, clinking of which could be heard over and above the celebratory cheers.
Wearing the blue overalls, her long hair all flowing upwards around her smiling face in the zero-gravity space station, Williams broke into a twist-like dance step immediately after she came out of the docking tunnel.
One of the crew from Expedition 71 rang the metal bell as she entered, as per a US Naval tradition of the ship’s bell announcing the presence of important persons.
“As part of @USNavy tradition for captains boarding a ship @NASA_Astronauts Butch Wilmore and @Astro_Suni each received bell rings as they came aboard @Space_Station,” NASA posted on X.
Notwithstanding her earlier two space missions, Expeditions 14/15 in 2006 and 32/33 and 2012, William’s celebratory impromptu dance, all of 3-seconds spectacle, drew widespread cheers from the crew aboard.
Suni, as she is popularly known in the space circles, then hugged the crew as seconds later Willmore too entered the small area, again to the loud cheer and Bell Rings.
Then the seven Expedition 71 crew members gathered with the two Crew Flight Test members for a team portrait aboard the space station. The seven already aboard were Oleg Kononenko (Russia), Alexander Grebenkin (Russia), Tracy C Dyson (USA), Mike Barratt (USA), Nikolai Chub (Russia), Jeanette Epps (USA), and Matthew Dominick (USA).
According to NASA, Williams shared her gratitude to the family and friends who have been with them during the lead-up to the launch.
“We have another family up here, which is just awesome,” Williams said. “And we’re just happy as can be to be up in space, one in Starliner on an Atlas V, and then here at the International Space Station. It just doesn’t get much better.” Earlier, the Starliner spacecraft docked to the ISS after overcoming new issues that cropped up en route to the orbiting laboratory.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris praised Williams and Wilmore by saying they represent “America’s leadership into the cosmos.”
As the Starliner took off, she posted on X: “Starliner is on its way — congratulations to the team. Today’s launch marks an important milestone for the future of human spaceflight. Butch and Suni, you represent America’s leadership into the cosmos and make us proud. Safe travels on your mission.”
With inputs from agencies
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