Microbial profile mapped aboard China space station

Microbial profile mapped aboard China space station
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 10, 2025

Efforts to understand how microgravity shapes microbial life have long been hampered by limited data from the International Space Station (ISS), primarily due to the technical challenges of sustained experimentation in orbit. Now, China's new space station offers an expansive opportunity to deepen our grasp of microbial dynamics in space habitats.

Launched under the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program (CHAMP), researchers implemented a systematic approach to examine the microbial environment of the Chinese orbital outpost. CHAMP employed a multi-phase, full-cabin sampling strategy combined with advanced tools including metagenomics, comparative genomics, and microbial culturing to investigate how microbial communities evolve and adapt in microgravity.

By analyzing microbial samples from the China Space Station and comparing them with data from over two decades of ISS studies, scientists aim to identify universal traits shared by spaceborne microbial ecosystems. This comparative analysis enables researchers to anticipate future shifts in the microbiome aboard the Chinese station and design more robust countermeasures to preserve astronaut health during extended missions.

The study delivers the first comprehensive baseline of microbial diversity and abundance within the China Space Station during its early operational stage. Key areas of focus include identifying consistent and divergent trends in microbial populations, examining cohabitation patterns among species, mapping genetic diversity, and understanding microbe-specific mutations triggered by the space environment.

These findings offer vital clues about how microorganisms acclimate to orbital habitats and provide a foundation for international research collaboration in space microbiology. They also pave the way for next-generation biosafety protocols to protect crew members during prolonged human presence beyond Earth.

Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., a leading innovator in space biosciences, led this research. The firm's team specializes in microbial risk assessment, control systems for manned spaceflight, and the development of microbial technologies and space-adapted experimental hardware.

Research Report:An early microbial landscape: inspiring endeavor from the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program (CHAMP)