Scientists from Edinburgh University are set to blast an experiment into space on a SapceX rocket, to see if tiny microbes could one day help us to mine asteroids.<\/p>\n
The experiment, called BioAsteroid, sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. It will see tiny microbes grown inside an incubator on the International Space Station for three weeks.<\/p>\n
The science team, comprised of boffins from Edinburgh University and private company Kayser Space, want to find out what effect low gravity will have on the bacteria.<\/p>\n
The idea is that when the microbes (called Sphingomonas desiccabilis and Penicillium simplicissimum) are placed in a liquid they can feed off of a rock surface.<\/p>\n
This causes the rock to breakdown forming soil or releasing valuable elements in a process dubbed biomining.<\/p>\n
The Science Verification Test for BioAsteroid will take place later this month in Edinburgh, where the microbes will be grown for the first time on the actual flight culturing hardware.<\/p>\n
The experiment is scheduled to be launched to the ISS with SpaceX in October 2020.<\/p>\n
Prof. Charles Cockell, University of Edinburgh, said: By studying biofilm formation of these organisms on the asteroidal material in microgravity, BioAsteroid will investigate how space conditions ultimately affect microbe-mineral interactions, addressing questions on the biochemistry of the organisms, biofilm morphology and structure, fungal attachment and the ability of the microbes to break down rock, a key process for the future use of microorganisms in space exploration, including the mining of asteroids.<\/p>\n
David Zolesi, Kayser Space Managing Director, added: Executing the entire BioAsteroid project within one year, the UK has positioned itself at the forefront of two activities that will define the future of the commercial exploitation of space: asteroid mining and fast-track access to microgravity.<\/p>\n
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Edinburgh scientists to blast asteroid-eating bacteria into orbit on a SpaceX rocket - Edinburgh Live<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Scientists from Edinburgh University are set to blast an experiment into space on a SapceX rocket, to see if tiny microbes could one day help us to mine asteroids. The experiment, called BioAsteroid, sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie Continue reading