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Phobos-Grunt - LIFE
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This experiment is part of the Phobos-Grunt Mission that is scheduled to be in progress from 2011 to 2014. LIFE has been developed by The Planetary Society and consists of a Biomodule that contains selected microorganisms that will be exposed to the environment of interplanetary space for the duration of the Phobos-Grunt Mission.
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The Project includes organisms from all three domains of life: archaea, eukaryota and bacteria. 10 different types of organisms are part of the mission. Three samples of each type are inside the Biocontainer for better science results. Also, one or more natural native soil samples are flying in a separate compartment. The Payload has a weight of 88 grams and is cylindrical in shape. 30 polymer tubes, 3 milimeters in diameter, are provided to house the sample The large cavity for bacteria derived from a permafrost region is 26mm in diameter. The module itself is 56mm in Diameter with a maximum thickness of 18mm. Titanium is used to provide structural integrity and form the outer housing. LIFE includes multiple redundant seals to prevent internal and external contamination. Shock Pads are used to absorb loads during launch, ascent, entry and landing. Radiation that the organisms are exposed to is measured with 8 small Dosimeter Squares that cover two different energy ranges. Temperature lows/highs will be recorded with stickers that change color at different temperatures.
LIFE is flying on Phobos-Grunt because the mission gives scientists a very rare opportunity of exposing organisms to this environment of outer space away from Earth’s magnetosphere. Research on ISS in the field of biology is only taking place out of Earth’s gravitational pull, but the presence of Earth’s Magnetosphere is still significant in Earth Orbit. Also, the long duration of this mission is of interest for biologists. If successful, the Payload will have spent 34 months in space which would be a new record. Organisms were exposed to this particular environment on Apollo Missions lasting only a few days. |
Credit: The Planetary Society
LIFE Biocontainer
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To account for any changes that occur prelaunch inside the canister that has been sealed for several months prior to launch, an identical LIFE Container will be opened at the time of Launch in order to get an idea of the mechanisms that took place pre-launch and subtract that from the actual results.
Another Version of LIFE had a recent Space Flight on Space Shuttle Endeavour’s final Mission STS-134.
On Phobos-Grunt, LIFE is located inside the Entry Capsule that will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere with 200g of Phobos Soil Samples. The Experiment Payload is separated from the Soil Compartment. Pre-Launch testing was completed that verified that the Payload can withstand the loads that are expected during launch and entry.
Another Version of LIFE had a recent Space Flight on Space Shuttle Endeavour’s final Mission STS-134.
On Phobos-Grunt, LIFE is located inside the Entry Capsule that will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere with 200g of Phobos Soil Samples. The Experiment Payload is separated from the Soil Compartment. Pre-Launch testing was completed that verified that the Payload can withstand the loads that are expected during launch and entry.
List of selected Organisms
Bacteria:
Archaea:
Eukaryote:
- Bacillus safensis (Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity have been contaminated with this bacteria, so there is a good chance that it is already on Mars)
- Deinococcus radiodurans (Radiation resistant)
- Bacillus subtilis,
- Bacillus subtilis (Well studied in the LEO Environment of ISS)
Archaea:
- Haloarcula
- Methanothermobacter wolfeii (Methane Producing Organism)
- Pyrococcus furiosus (Maximum Temperature Indicator)
Eukaryote:
- Fungus – Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Survived nearly 2 years on an external ISS Panel)
- Plantae Arabidopsis thaliana(Studied on Apollo)
- Animalia – Tardigrades
