NASA sent Pseudomonas aeruginosa on shuttle Atlantis to space, where it formed denser biofilms with an unusual “column-and-canopy” structure

In groundbreaking space experiments, bacteria grown in synthetic urine were sent aboard the Atlantis space shuttle on two occasions. These microbes exhibited enhanced colony density and distinctive formations not observed on Earth. Spaceflight significantly amplified biofilm development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, presenting major challenges for prolonged space missions and life support systems. Studying these bacterial modifications is crucial for future human exploration beyond Earth.