Astronauts test an antimicrobial coating designed by Boeing that can kill bacteria and coronavirus on the International Space Station
- The crew of the International Space Station is testing antimicrobial coating
- The liner was designed by Boeing to help keep space station systems safe
- But when the coronavirus pandemic hit, the team changed the formula
- From now until mid-2021, astronauts touch the liner almost daily
- In a few months, the samples will return to Earth to measure effectiveness
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are conducting experiments with an antimicrobial surface coating designed to fight bacteria and viruses, including coronavirus.
Developed by Boeing and the University of Queensland, the coating was placed on objects from an airplane before being launched into the ship.
To promote microbial growth, astronauts touch objects almost daily to transfer naturally occurring microbes to human skin.
The coating was initially designed to protect space stations from interplanetary bacteria, but the formula was modified after the coronavirus outbreak.
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Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are conducting experiments with an antimicrobial surface coating designed to fight bacteria and viruses, including coronavirus.
The ISS is the ideal target for scientists looking to explore new innovations, as the space station’s microgravity environment allows the crew to conduct research that is not possible on Earth.
“Some microbes are changing the characteristics of microgravity, which could create new risks to the health of crew and spacecraft systems, as well as create the possibility of contaminating other planetary bodies,” NASA said in a statement. .
The tests, called Boeing Environment Responding Antimicrobial Coatings, sent several objects found on planes, half with the coating and half without.
Objects include the airplane seat buckle, seat fabric and airplane seat belts and parts of an armrest and a tray table.
Developed by Boeing and the University of Queensland, the coating was placed on objects from an airplane before being launched into the ship. To promote microbial growth, astronauts touch objects almost daily to transfer naturally occurring microbes to human skin.
Astronauts touch each object almost every day to encourage microbial growth: none of the samples were contaminated before reaching the ISS, Boeing says.
Mike Delaney, Boeing’s head of aerospace security, said: “While testing continues in orbit and on Earth, we are encouraged by the preliminary results of the antimicrobial chemical compound.”
“There is the potential for wide applicability for a surface coating like this when used in conjunction with other measures to prevent disease transmission.”
The coating was initially developed to protect astronauts during space missions, but after the success of the coronavirus pandemic, research modified the formula to target the COVID-19 virus.
However, as humans plan to return to the Moon, head for Mars, and travel to other planetary bodies with microorganisms from Earth, the coating could prevent microbial damage from spacecraft systems.
But with the modified formula, the experiments could allow us to use the coating in aircraft cabins, in healthcare environments, in food preparation environments, in public transportation, and in other public facilities.
The coating was initially developed to protect astronauts during space missions, but after the success of the coronavirus pandemic, research modified the formula to target the COVID-19 virus.
Professor Michael Monteiro, of the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at UQ, said: “After years of development, it’s really exciting to see our research in space.”
“The main purpose of our antimicrobial coating was to help protect space missions. After the current pandemic, we modified the coating formula to target the COVID-19 virus as well if it is present on an Earth surface.”
“We look forward to continuing our testing regime and working to obtain regulatory approvals.”