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Experimental Result Paper | Aerospace Engineering | Singapore | Volume 14 Issue 1, January 2025 | Popularity: 8.4 / 10
Solutions for Space Waste: Biodegradation of Polyurethane by Pestalotiopsis Microspora in Microgravity
Aarna Agarwal, Sohrab Mehra, Ian Wilson, Andrea Liang, Anthony Ding, Joseph Oh, Peiming Xu, Jiayi Han, Emilie Holiday, Vivaan Khushani
Abstract: Reusing waste in space can significantly increase the longevity of missions in space. Traditional methods used aboard the International Space Station (ISS), such as returning waste to Earth or incinerating it in the atmosphere, are unsustainable for deep-space exploration. This experiment explores an innovative solution: leveraging the polyurethane-decomposing fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora for bioremediation in microgravity environments. With its unique ability to degrade polyurethane aerobically and anaerobically, P. microspora offers significant potential for recycling plastic waste into usable byproducts, aligning with NASA?s sustainability objectives. This study involved the design of a custom-built experimental capsule to observe fungal degradation in microgravity conditions on the International Space Station. The capsule integrates a liquid pump system, a microspora chamber equipped with polyurethane samples, and a camera with LED lighting for real-time monitoring. Critical design considerations, such as microgravity-adapted bioreactors and contamination control, were addressed. Experimental methods included cultivating P. microspora on polyurethane foam and assessing decomposition efficiency through visual and biochemical analysis. Findings from this study could advance waste management strategies for long-term missions and contribute to closed-loop ecosystems essential for sustainable space colonization. By demonstrating the feasibility of cultivating P. microspora in space, this research lays the groundwork for integrating fungal bioremediation into future extraterrestrial habitats.
Keywords: Bioremediation, polyurethane degradation, Pestalotiopsis microspora, microgravity research, sustainable space exploration
Edition: Volume 14 Issue 1, January 2025
Pages: 224 - 231
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.21275/SR241230151350
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