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Specifications for a slide stainer unit for the Skylab program are presented. The qualification test slide stainer was designed to be a self-contained system capable of performing an eight-step Gram stain of microorganisms and a Wright's stain of blood smears.
Work undertaken to improve the estimation of the probability of release of microorganisms from unmanned Martian landing spacecraft is summarized. An analytical model is described for the development of numerical values for release parameters and release mechanisms applicable to flight missions are defined. Laboratory test data are used to evolve parameter values for use by flight projects in estimating numerical values for release probabilities. The analysis treats microbial burden located on spacecraft surfaces, between mated surfaces, and encapsulated within materials.
Microbial analysis was the first of several studies of the retrieved camera and was performed immediately after the camera was opened. The emphasis of the analysis was placed upon isolating microorganisms that could be potentially pathogenic for man. Every step in the retrieval of the Surveyor 3 television camera was analyzed for possible contamination sources, including camera contact by the astronauts, ingassing in the lunar and command module during the mission or at splashdown, and handling during quarantine, disassembly, and analysis at the Lunar Receiving Laboratory
A piece of electrical wiring bundle running from the television camera to another part of the spacecraft was selected for microbiological examination. Sampling methods are discussed. The results presented show that no viable microorganisms were recovered from the part of the Surveyor 3 cable which was tested. Factors that could have contributed to the sterility of the cable are thermal vacuum testing, natural dieoff, change in pressure during launch, and lunar vacuum and temperature.
The results of studies to determine the effect of soil particle size on the survival time at 125 C of the microflora associated with these particles are discussed. The data suggest that longer survival times exist for the microflora associated with larger particles. The studies indicate that microorganisms associated with soil are difficult to kill and that organisms associated with large particles are harder to kill than those associated with small particles. Sterlization requirements increase as the level of contamination increases. Soil particles and their accompanying microflora are the most critical contaminants.
A technique has been developed to artificially fossilize microscopic algae in crystalline silica under conditions of moderately elevated temperature and pressure. The technique is designed to simulate geochemical processes thought to have resulted in the preservation of organic microfossils in Precambrian bedded cherts. In degree of preservation and mineralogic setting, the artificially permineralized microorganisms are comparable to naturally occurring fossil algae.
Penicillium simplicissimum is found to solubilize up to 80% of the titanium in granitic rocks but less than 2% of the titanium in basaltic rocks. These findings were made in investigating the interactions of microorganisms with rocks and minerals of the biosphere in studies aimed at developing experiments for the detection of extraterrestrial life.
Recent experiments in an environmental chamber have shown that not even hardy terrestrial bacteria can survive on the Martian surface. The planet Jupiter is now considered by many to be the most likely place to find nonterrestrial life. Atmospheric simulation experiments for Jupiter that have been performed involve spark or semicorona discharges in mixtures of methane and ammonia at room temperature and a pressure lower than atmospheric. Terrestrial microorganisms have been shown capable of surviving 24 hr under a range of possible Jovian atmospheric conditions. The final mode of approach to the question of Jovian life concerns theoretical studies on the sort of chemical systems from which life could be generated.
Transducer, which senses pressure buildup, is easy to assemble and use, and rate of gas produced can be measured automatically and accurately. Method can be used in research, in clinical laboratories, and for environmental pollution studies because of its ability to detect and quantify rapidly the number of gas-producing microorganisms in water, beverages, and clinical samples.
The recycle, reuse, or reclamation of single cell protein from liquid and solid agricultural waste fibers by a fermentation process is reported. It is shown that cellulose comprises the bulk of the fibers at 50% to 55% of the dry weight of the refuse and that its biodegradability is of prime importance in the choice of a substrate. The application of sodium hydroxide followed by heat and pressure serves to de-polymerize and disrupt lignin structure while swelling the cellulose to increase water uptake and pore volume. Some of the lignin, hemi-celluloses, ash, and cellulose of the material is hydrolized and solubilized. Introduction of microorganisms to the substrate fibers mixed with nutrients produces continuous fermentation of cellulose for further protein extraction and purification.
The sampling of soils from the manufacture and assembly areas of the Viking spacecraft is reported and the methodology employed in the analysis of these samples for psychrophilic microorganisms, and temperature studies on these organisms is outlined. Results showing the major types of organisms and the percentage of obligate psychrophiles in each sample are given and discussed. Emphasis in all areas is toward application of these results to the objectives of the planetary quarantine program.
Current U.S. planetary quarantine standards based on international agreements require consideration of the probability of contamination (Pc) of the outer planets, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, etc. One of the key parameters in estimation of the Pc of these planets is the probability of growth (Pg) of terrestrial microorganisms on or near these planets. For example, Jupiter and Saturn appear to have an atmosphere in which some microbial species could metabolize and propagate. This study includes investigation of the likelihood of metabolism and propagation of microbes suspended in dynamic atmospheres. It is directed toward providing experimental information needed to aid in rational estimation of Pg for these outer plants.
The studies to evaluate an organism's ability to maintain normal physiological activities over a long period of time in a bioregenerative system are presented. Studies reviewed include: heat tolerant mutants of Pseudomonas fluoresceins, virulence factors of the Staphylococci, and the effect of mutations on the virulence for man in common and ubiquitous microorganisms.
The microbiological studies of the Apollo 17 command module pre- and postflight samples are reported. A total of 20 types of microorganisms were identified on preflight and 14 on postflight samples. Changes in biochemical character due to subculture and storage of Bacillus isolates are also reported.
Plans for unmanned missions to planets beyond Mars in the 1970s include satellite encounters. Recently published observations of data for Titan, a satellite of Saturn, indicate that conditions may be hospitable for the growth of microorganisms. Therefore, the problem of satisfying possible quarantine constraints for outer planet satellites was investigated. This involved determining the probability of impacting a satellite of Jupiter or Saturn by a spacecraft for a planned satellite encounter during an outer planet mission. Mathematical procedures were formulated which determine the areas in the aim-plane that would result in trajectories that impact the satellite and provide a technique for numerically integrating the navigation error function over the impact area to obtain impact probabilities. The results indicate which of the planned spacecraft trajectory correction maneuvers are most critical in terms of satellite quarantine violation.
Samples of soil collected from Kennedy Space Center near spacecraft assembly facilities were found to contain microorganisms very resistant to conventional sterilization techniques. The inactivation behavior of the naturally occurring spores in soil was investigated using dry heat and ionizing radiation, first separately, then in combination. Dry heat inactivation rates of spores were determined for 105 and 125 C. Radiation inactivation rates were determined for dose rates of 660 and 76 krad/hr at 25 C. Simultaneous combinations of heat and radiation were then investigated at 105, 110, 115, 120, and 125 C. Combined treatment was found to be highly synergistic requiring greatly reduced radiation doses to accomplish sterilization.
Soil samples from the areas associated with the Viking spacecraft were analyzed for major generic groups of microorganisms and the percentage of obligate psychrophiles. Results are presented which show the distribution of organisms isolated at low temperatures and the methods employed for subjecting samples to simulated Martian conditions. Emphasis is placed on application of these results to the objectives of the quarantine program.
One of the key parameters in estimation of the probability of contamintion of the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, etc.) is the probability of growth (Pg) of terrestrial microorganisms on or near these planets. For example, Jupiter appears to have an atmosphere in which some microbial species could metabolize and propagate. This study includes investigation of the likelihood of metabolism and propagation of microbes suspended in dynamic atmospheres. It is directed toward providing experimental information needed to aid in rational estimation of Pg for these outer planets. Current work is directed at demonstration of aerial metabolism under near optimal conditions and tests of propagation in simulated Jovian atmospheres.