Although NASA isn't (yet) baking bread in space, yeast may be crucial in preparing people to go farther into the solar system.
In addition to orbiting the moon, NASA's unmanned Artemis I mission will do more with its scheduled launch. Additionally, a number of additional missions will be launched into orbit. One of these is BioSentinel, which will send yeast into deep space to help researchers better understand how radiation can impact people on protracted journeys.
NASA recently compared space radiation to a nanoscale demolition derby in a statement. In order to send people out for more prolonged missions to the moon and eventually Mars, NASA will need to find a solution to the issue that might harm live cells.
Yeast will have their vital signs monitored by BioSentinel because, according to NASA, they share biological systems with human cells. The researchers examined two different strains of yeast to ascertain how radiation affected them. One was a common yeast strain, whereas the other was very vulnerable to radiation harm. Genes from both varieties of yeast are identical to human genes.
To ensure that the yeast would last the duration of the experiment, scientists had to find the best drying technique. Researchers experimented with vacuum, freeze, and air drying. Additionally, they employed a range of temperatures, humidity levels, and radiation exposures to define ideal settings. The next calculated cell growth under each circumstance.
A miniature biotech lab on board will keep an eye on the yeast cells. Scientists will compare the results from the sensor's measurement of cosmic radiation with the state of the yeast. NASA is hoping that this information will help spark ideas for ways to keep people safe in space.
A shoebox-sized satellite called a CubeSat, which houses BioSentinel, will be launched into space shortly after Artemis I. After passing the moon, it will begin a mission that might last up to nine months by entering an orbit around the sun.
According to NASA, "BioSentinel will be the first long-duration biology experiment to take place beyond where the space station orbits near Earth."
This is the most recent experiment in which yeast will be exposed to radiation to see what occurs. In 2019, scientists subjected yeast to simulated cosmic rays. In order to examine how microgravity and space radiation affects yeast on the lunar surface, NASA also aims to deploy yeast there.
According to project manager Matthew Napoli of NASA's Ames Research Center, "BioSentinel is the first of its kind." It will transport live things further into space than ever before, which is really cool.
