Extraterrestrial Life | New Space Economy

Educational comparison of six biological hazards, explaining that bacteria are living cells, viruses need host cells, fungi include yeasts and molds, parasites live on or in hosts, prions are misfolded proteins, and toxins are harmful chemicals; treatment examples and diseases are also listed.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BACTERIA, VIRUSES, FUNGI, PARASITES, PRIONS, AND TOXINS?

Infographic explains that closed space habitats may influence antibiotic resistance through microbial stress, microgravity, radiation, biofilms, gene exchange, selection pressure, and incomplete treatment; it also lists medical and mission risks and recommends culture testing, genomic monitoring, environmental sampling, disinfection protocols, and antimicrobial stewardship.

COULD SPACEFLIGHT INCREASE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE?

Infographic summarizing procedures for preventing, detecting, managing, and responding to microbial contamination in space habitats.

HOW ARE MICROBES CONTROLLED IN SPACE HABITATS?

Infographic explaining biological containment lessons from laboratory accidents. It lists human error, training, layered protection, equipment maintenance, near-miss reporting, and safety culture; identifies engineering controls, procedures, protective equipment, access control, decontamination, waste handling, and monitoring; and outlines investigations into root causes, procedure gaps, equipment failure, communication breakdowns, documentation, and corrective actions.

WHAT HAVE LABORATORY ACCIDENTS TAUGHT US ABOUT BIOLOGICAL CONTAINMENT?

Seven-step infographic describing a proposed scientific workflow for a returned space sample: secure opening, physical characterization, chemical testing, biological testing, molecular testing, contamination controls and verification, and interpretation of combined evidence.

HOW WOULD SCIENTISTS TEST A RETURNED SPACE SAMPLE FOR LIFE?

Infographic explaining space hazards to microorganisms, protective conditions that may extend survival, approximate survival periods, experimental evidence, and implications for space research.

HOW LONG CAN MICROORGANISMS SURVIVE IN SPACE?

Infographic describing a seven-step investigation process for suspected pathogen exposure: detect and report, secure the area, assess possible exposure, collect samples and evidence, test broadly, evaluate risk, and respond and communicate. Supporting practices include chain of custody, clean controls, repeated testing, documentation, and independent verification.

HOW WOULD A SUSPECTED SPACE-PATHOGEN EXPOSURE BE INVESTIGATED?

Infographic describing a nine-step process for returning asteroid or Mars samples safely, from collection and sealing through capsule recovery, transport, high-containment laboratory analysis, and long-term curation. Additional panels cover contamination control, chain-of-custody records, controlled landing, Mars-specific precautions, and risks scientists seek to prevent.

HOW IS AN ASTEROID OR MARS SAMPLE RETURNED SAFELY?

Infographic explaining a conceptual secure facility for returned material from beyond Earth, including containment systems, scientific analysis areas, an eight-step handling workflow, potential research targets, and reasons for strict controls.

WHAT IS AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL SAMPLE-RECEIVING FACILITY?

Educational infographic summarizing bacterial origins, a microbial history timeline, evolutionary mechanisms, and bacterial effects on ecosystems, oxygen levels, nutrient cycles, digestion, decomposition, and soil fertility.

HOW BACTERIA EMERGED AND EVOLVED ON EARTH