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Microbial Systems and the Space Flight Environment. D.M. Klaus, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309

   Bacteria have been studied in the context of space flight under a variety of objectives ranging from understanding basic sciences to developing engineering applications. Reports pertaining to growth kinetics, crew health implications, antimicrobial issues, fermentation technology, biophysical interface phenomena, biological waste treatment, energy production, astrobiology and planetary protection concerns can be found in space-related literature. Each of these topics can, in turn, be used to exemplify a key aspect of systems engineering - characterizing direct and indirect relationships between the individual, isolated components of a system and with their surrounding environment. The implementation of this analytical approach is broad-reaching across diverse science and engineering interests. For example, examining gravity’s influence on bacteria can be used to address questions relevant to general microbiology, as well as concerns specific to space flight. And from an engineering perspective, incorporating microbial processes into a spacecraft life support system can provide beneficial functions that enable more efficient and sustainable long-term space habitation.

   An academic framework for teaching aerospace science and engineering courses on a foundation of microbial systems is defined under the auspices of Bioastronautics, the study and support of life in space. (Supported by BioServe Space Technologies, NASA NCC8-242)