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Open AccessArticle
Synergistic Interactions among Vacuum, Solar Heating, and UV Irradiation Enhance the Lethality of Interplanetary Space
by
Andrew C. Schuerger
Andrew C. Schuerger 1,2
1
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
2
Space Life Sciences Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, 505 Odyssey Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA
Microorganisms 2024, 12(10), 1976; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12101976 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 23 August 2024
/
Revised: 18 September 2024
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Accepted: 24 September 2024
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Published: 29 September 2024
Abstract
A Planetary Atmospheric Chamber (PAC) was used to create simulations of interplanetary conditions to test the spore survival of three Bacillus spp. exposed to interacting conditions of vacuum (VAC), simulated solar heating (HEAT), and simulated solar ultraviolet irradiation (UV). Synergism was observed among the experimental factors for all three Bacillus spp. tested that suggested the increased lethality of HEAT and UV when concomitantly exposed to VAC. The most aggressive biocidal effects were observed for assays with VAC + HEAT + UV conditions run simultaneously over short time-steps. The results were used to predict the accumulation of extremely rapid Sterility Assurance Levels (SALs; def., −12 logs of bioburden reduction) measured in a few minutes to a few hours for external surfaces of interplanetary spacecraft. Furthermore, the results were extrapolated to predict that approx. 1 × 104 SAL exposures might be accumulated for external surfaces on the Europa Clipper spacecraft during a 3.5-year transit time between Venus (0.7 AU) and Mars (1.5 AU) during a series of Venus–Earth–Earth gravity assists (VEEGA trajectory) to Jovian space. The results are applicable to external spacecraft surfaces exposed to direct solar heating and UV irradiation during transits though the inner solar system.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Schuerger, A.C.
Synergistic Interactions among Vacuum, Solar Heating, and UV Irradiation Enhance the Lethality of Interplanetary Space. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 1976.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12101976
AMA Style
Schuerger AC.
Synergistic Interactions among Vacuum, Solar Heating, and UV Irradiation Enhance the Lethality of Interplanetary Space. Microorganisms. 2024; 12(10):1976.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12101976
Chicago/Turabian Style
Schuerger, Andrew C.
2024. "Synergistic Interactions among Vacuum, Solar Heating, and UV Irradiation Enhance the Lethality of Interplanetary Space" Microorganisms 12, no. 10: 1976.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12101976
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