| Name: | Lokaveer A |
| Affiliation: | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) |
| Conference ID : | ASI2024_963 |
| Title : | SSPACE Astrobiology Payload (SAP) |
| Authors : | Lokaveer A A1, Vikram Khaire B1, Anjana Thomas C1, Yasir M D1, Yoga Hariharan E1, Akash Dewangan F1, Devashish Bhalla G1, Dhruva Anantha Datta H1, Raghav I1, Sakshi Tembhurne J2, Gunja K2, Saurabh Mahajan L2, Priyadarshnam Hari M1, Anand Narayanan N1 |
| Authors Affiliation: | 1) Lokaveer A, Vikram Khaire, Anjana Thomas, Yasir M, Yoga Hariharan, Akash Dewangan, Devashish Bhalla, Dhruva Anantha Datta, Raghav, Priyadarshnam Hari, Anand Narayanan Affiliation (Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695547, India)
2) Sakshi Tembhurne, Gunja, Saurabh Mahajan Affiliation (Atria University, Bangalore - 560024, India) |
| Mode of Presentation: | Poster |
| Abstract Category : | Sun, Solar System, Exoplanets, and Astrobiology |
| Abstract : | Microgravity as well as the radiation of both solar and galactic origin in outer space pose various challenges to the functioning of biological systems. The upcoming human space missions call for the need to understand the effect of these extreme space conditions on biological bodies to ensure their safety. Microbial organisms are an integral part of human beings and play a crucial role in health and overall well-being. SSPACE Astrobiology Payload (SAP) is a series of payload-based missions that aims at conducting autonomous microbiology experiments in the Low Earth Orbit, the results of which are expected to aid future human space missions. The ultimate objective of SAP is to provide earth-like laboratory facilities in space for carrying out a plethora of experiments and finding answers to the unknowns in the fields of Astrobiology.
SAP-1, being the first mission, focuses on studying the growth characteristics of bacteria when subjected to the adverse conditions of space, primarily microgravity, by utilising optical density measurement techniques. Probiotic bacteria, namely Bacillus clausii and Bacillus coagulans, are chosen as specimens of interest from a diverse range of microorganisms for the fact that these are highly beneficial for humans and are less studied in extreme space conditions. Various necessities to be addressed for conducting such experiments on SAP-1 include maintaining favourable pressure and temperature conditions alongside supplying nutrition for bacterial growth. Hardware prototypes for fulfilling each of the requirements and conducting the experiments autonomously are being developed and tested with a fusion of knowledge from the fields of mechanics, microbiology and electronics. The development of a concept demonstration model has been accomplished. Furthermore, the prototypes are aimed at being miniaturised, made space-grade, and flight-ready in order to be integrated with nanosatellites or space experimental modules for the final operations. |
