CCTV News: China Manned Space Engineering Office released a news report that recently, scientific researchers announced for the first time a new microbial species discovered in my country's space station and named it "Nilium celestialis". How was Neilia in the Heavenly Palace discovered? We also need to turn the pointer of time back to 2023. During the Shenzhou 15 astronauts' crew in orbit, what experiments did they conduct at Space Home at that time?

This new microbial species discovery was achieved with the support of the Space Station Engineering Aerospace Technology Test Project. The research team focused on the dynamic changes and safety control of environmental microorganisms during the long-term operation of my country's space stations, and designed multi-batch, full-section, and panoramic residence cabin microbial monitoring tasks.

In May 2023, the Shenzhou 15 astronaut crew used sterile sampling wipes to collect and store microorganisms on orbit on the inner surface of the space station cabin. After the downward trend, after ground experiment analysis, researchers discovered a brand new microbial species - Neil Saccharomyces. The study used multidisciplinary methods such as morphological observation, genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and metabolic analysis to finally confirm this unique species.

Scientific researchers also found that 大全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全全�

The Neils found this time is a Gram-positive spore-producing bacteria, affiliated to the genus of Cytobacteria. Compared with the related species, Neils in Tiangong has excellent performance in adapting to the spatial environment: First, Neils in Tiangong has excellent "compression resistance" ability, and accurately responds to oxidative stress in the spatial environment by regulating the biosynthesis of bacillus thiol. This mechanism maintains the redox balance in the cells and ensures that it can grow stably under extreme conditions. Second, Neil Ace of the Heavenly Palace shows unique characteristics in biological film formation and radiation damage repair. These abilities are combined to help it become a "hexagonal warrior" who can adapt to the spatial environment.

Microorganisms generally enter the space station through four channels

Microorganisms are a large number, widely distributed and highly adaptable group. They will continue to breed when the growth conditions such as temperature and humidity are met, and together form a microbial community on the space station. So, where do the microorganisms in the space station come from?

The microorganisms in the space station mainly come from the following aspects:

First, the astronauts carry them themselves. A large number of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi naturally exist inside or on the body. They enter the space station with the astronauts' bodies and are introduced through gases and other contact channels in the cabin.

The second is to carry the space station on materials and equipment. During the production, storage, use and installation of various materials such as structural metals and non-metals used in the construction of space stations, as well as the assembly process, microorganisms will be introduced and attached to the material, equipment surface or inside through personnel, tools and environment (such as factory air and placement surface).

The third is the introduction of ground assembly, testing and other stages. During the ground assembly, testing, testing and launch preparation, the clothes carried or worn by the operators themselves and the tools they use will introduce microorganisms on the interior (wall) surfaces of the factory and other facilities surfaces into the cabin.

The fourth is to carry visiting spacecraft and its cargo. The cargo spacecraft that transports cargo to the space station and the cargo will carry microorganisms and transfer the cargo through personnel transfer and gas circulation in the tank to the tank.

It is of great significance to carry out microbial prevention and control of space stations in orbit

To achieve long-term survival of humans in space, it is necessary to build a corresponding ecosystem, not only animals and plants, but also microorganisms. If the space station's microorganisms are unbalanced, it will bring challenges to astronauts' health and safety and the stability of the cabin system.

Microorganisms can erode materials, reduce material performance, and thus affect the service life of the space station. In addition, some microorganisms can produce toxins, pollute the air, water and food in the cabin, causing the deterioration of the cabin environment. Therefore, carrying out microbial prevention and control of space stations in orbit is of great significance to ensuring the health of astronauts and the long-term and stable operation of equipment in orbit.

As of the "Space House", Chinese astronauts will regularly conduct microbial sampling.

At the "Space House", Chinese astronaut crews will regularly conduct microbial sampling of air microbials, surface microbials, and drinking water distributor outlets. According to the news released by the China Manned Space Office, my country's space station is carrying out research work in the field of space microbial corrosion. The microbial-material interaction scientific test device developed by the scientific research team has carried out multiple batches of microbial and material interaction tests, including Aspergillus niger's microbial corrosion tests on polyurethane coated circuit boards, bare copper circuit boards, heat shrink tubes and other materials.