High-altitude Balloon Platform for Studying the Biological Response of Living Organisms Exposed to Near-space Environments

Overview

Journal Heliyon

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2024 Mar 18

PMID 38496885

Authors

Sumeth Klomchitcharoen

Pongsakorn Wechakarn

Tanchanok Tangwattanasirikun

Noparin Smerwong

Phubase Netrapathompornkij

Thanapat Chatmeeboon

Norawit Nangsue

Vivatsathorn Thitasirivit

Krin Kaweewongsunthorn

Suvijak Piyanopharoj

Phachara Phumiprathet

Yodchanan Wongsawat

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The intangible desire to explore the mysteries of the universe has driven numerous advancements for humanity for centuries. Extraterrestrial journeys are becoming more realistic as a result of human curiosity and endeavors. Over the years, space biology research has played a significant role in understanding the hazardous effects of the space environment on human health during long-term space travel. The inevitable consequence of a space voyage is space ionizing radiation, which has deadly aftereffects on the human body. The paramount objective of this study is to provide a robust platform for performing biological experiments within the Earth's stratosphere by utilizing high-altitude balloons. This platform allows the use of a biological payload to simulate spaceflight missions within the unique properties of space that cannot be replicated in terrestrial facilities. This paper describes the feasibility and demonstration of a biological balloon mission suitable for students and scientists to perform space biology experiments within the boundary of the stratosphere. In this study, a high-altitude balloon was launched into the upper atmosphere (∼29 km altitude), where living microorganisms were exposed to a hazardous combination of UV irradiation, ultralow pressure and cold shock. The balloon carried the budding yeast to investigate microbial survival potential under extreme conditions. The results indicated a notable reduction in biosample mortality two orders of magnitude (2-log) after exposure to 164.9 kJ m UV. Postflight experiments have shown strong evidence that the effect of UV irradiation on living organisms is stronger than that of other extreme conditions.

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