Biological studies of martian soil analogues

Results of the study of the influence of Martian soil analogues, both as described by American scientists and as prepared by us, and of hydrogen peroxide on the viability of microorganisms are presented. The experiments were carried out using mixtures of soil analogues with desert soil and black earth (chernozem) samples, and pure cultures of microorganism. Microorganisms capable of withstanding a concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the medium as high as 1.5–2.0% were isolated. None of the 40 strains of microorganisms studied, all belonging to different systematic and physiological groups, exhibited growth inhibition on solid media in the presence of Martian soil analogues. In view of the fact that Martian soil cannot contain microorganisms in great quantities, we suggest using electroadsorption for their concentration, to make detection reliable. A device was designed for this purpose, using the principle of electroadsorption on a polarisable carrier (sterile cotton wool or cheesecloth). The concentrated suspension of microorganisms thus obtained was then characterized by various physicochemical methods.     

Effects of prolonged exposure to space flight factors for 175 days on lettuce seeds

We have studied the effects of prolonged (up to 175 days) exposure of $\text{Lactuca sativa}$ seeds to space flight factors, including primary cosmic radiation heavy ions. The data obtained evidence a significant fourfold increase ofs pontaneous mutagenesis in seeds both with regard to the total number of aberrant cells as well as the formation of single cells with multiple aberrations. Comparison of the present experiment with earlier works shows that the frequency of such aberrations increases with the duration of the flight.     

Identification and characteristics of source flares emitting 3-He or Fe enriched cosmic rays in the period September to December 1977

During the observation of solar cosmic rays on the Prognoz 6 and Helios 1 and 2 spacecrafts, several events with anomalous composition of accelerated particles (higher abundance of 3-He or Fe nuclei) occurred. We found seven such events from the period September to December 1977 for which data from the Prognoz 6 solar X-ray photometer are available. This material together with published optical and radio data from terrestrial observatories enabled us to identify more reliably the source flares and describe their characteristics. It turned out that the character of X-ray emission accompanying the emission of accelerated particles with anomalous composition shows no pronounced difference from other flares. No correlation has been found among the ratio 3-He/4-He and the angular distance between the field lines connected with the source flare and the place of observation. If a solar flare with anomalous ratio 3-He/4-He appears in a given active region, this region will probably produce other anomalous events.     

Dosimetric mapping inside BIORACK

The experiment was flown in different locations inside BIORACK on the D1 mission. It contained different plastic detectors (cellulose nitrate, Lexan, and CR 39) and emulsions to measure the high LET components of the radiation environment. For low LET measurements thermoluminescence dosimeters (L iF) were used. The paper gives data about total dose, charge, energy, and LET spectra so far obtained. These data are compared with data of previous spaceflights.     

Embryogenesis and organogenesis of Carausius morosus under spaceflight conditions

The influence of cosmic radiation and/or microgravity on insect development was studied during the 7 day German Spacelab Mission D1. Eggs of Carausius morosus of five stages differing in sensitivity to radiation and in capacity to regeneration were allowed to continue their development in the BIORACK 22°C incubator, either at microgravity conditions or on the 1 g reference centrifuge. Using the Biostack concept - eggs in monolayers were sandwiched between visual track detectors - and the 1 g reference centrifuge, we were able to separate radiation effects from microgravity effects and also from combined effects of these two factors in space. After retrieval, hatching rates, growth kinetics and anomaly frequencies were determined in the different test samples. The early stages of development turned out to be highly sensitive to single hits of cosmic ray particles as well as to the temporary exposure to microgravity during their development. In some cases, the combined action of radiation and microgravity even amplified the effects exerted by the single parameters of space. Hits by single HZE particles caused early effects, such as body anomalies, as well as late effects, such as retarded growth after hatching. Microgravity exposure lead to a reduced hatching rate. A synergistic action of HZE particle hits and microgravity was established in the unexpectedly high frequency of anomal larvae. However, it cannot be excluded, that cosmic background radiation or low LET HZE particles are also causally involved in damage observed in the microgravity samples.     

Radiation stability of organic matter in liquid and frozen H2O, NH3 and water-ammonia mixtures

The redox properties of irradiated liquid and frozen H₂O, NH₃ and H₂O/NH₃ mixtures at 298 K and 77 K, resp., towards some simple organic molecules have been checked by injecting carrierfree ¹¹C atoms and analyzing their chemical state by means of radiochromatography. The reactions and the stability of organic products versus radiation dose (in this study by MeV protons) depend on temperature, phase state, mobility of radicals, their concentration and reactivity. Especially dangerous are the reactive OH and O₂H radicals which oxidize organic material to inorganic CO₂. Highest stability has been found at low temperatures (solid state, reduced mobility of radicals) and for systems containing H-donors (H₂O/NH₃ mixtures), which reduce the concentration of oxidizing radicals. The fact that many bodies in space consist of H₂O-ice with NH₃ and CH₄ additives at temperatures between 10 and 150 K is promising in view of the survival of organic matter under high doses of radiation.     

Effects of microgravity on c-fos gene expression in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells.

The paper summarizes the data on proliferation and gravity-related gene expression of osteoblasts that were obtained from an experiment conducted under simulated and real microgravity conditions. Simulated microgravity conditions obtained in a clinostat depress proliferation of both osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 and HeLa carcinoma cells. This depression of proliferation occurs in a collagen gel culture in which the flow of culture medium by rotation may be reduced. Interestingly, MC3T3-E1 cells which are probably one of target cells to microgravity are more sensitive than the HeLa cells. Simulated microgravity inhibited the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced c-fos gene expression in the MC3T3-El cells. To examine in detail the effect of real microgravity on the EGF signal transduction cascade in osteoblasts, MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in the Cell Culture Experiment Module of the sounding rocket TR-1A6. The EGF-induced c-fos expression in cells was depressed under short-term microgravity conditions in the sounding rocket, while the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was not affected compared with the controls grown on the ground. These results suggest that an action site of microgravity in the signal transduction pathway may be downstream of MAPK.