Sunita Williams in Space: Health Concerns For Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut and Crew After ‘Spacebug’ Detected at Space Station

New Delhi, June 11: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore recently reached the International Space Station (ISS) with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on June 6. However, a new challenge has emerged and Sunita Williams and crew might face health concerns after a 'Spacebug' was detected at the International Space Station. Scientists have detected a multi-drug resistant bacteria named "Enterobacter bugandensis" in the closed environment of the space station. NASA astronauts

As per a report on NDTV, Sunita Williams and crew might face challenges after "Spacebug" discovery at the Space Station. A potential threat has emerged for the crew of the spacecraft, including India-origin astronaut Williams, as a mysterious "Spacebug" has been detected. The microorganism might pose a risk to the health of the astronauts and their crewmates by infecting their respiratory systems and potentially leading to serious health issues. The superbug has evolved and become more potent in the closed environment of the ISS. Since it is multi-drug resistant, it is often called as a "Superbug". Why Is Starship Made of Stainless Steel? Elon Musk Shares Old Article Explaining Reasons Behind SpaceX Making Rockets Out of Stainless Steel.

The seven other crew members on the International Space Station (ISS) have been residing there for a longer duration. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are expected to spend more than a week in the low Earth orbiting laboratory after testing the new spacecraft that Sunita Williams played a crucial role in designing. Over the past 24 years of continuous operation, certain insects have been unknowingly transported to the space station, where they have evolved into a significant worry. India Must Work To Reduce Greenhouse Gases Like Methane, Nitrous Oxide To Curb Rising Temperatures: Environmental Expert.

These bugs, often referred to as "Spacebugs," are not extraterrestrial life forms but rather bugs that have been carried as hidden co-passengers by astronauts and have since adapted to their new environment. Thirteen strains of the multi-drug resistant bacterium Enterobacter bugandensis were isolated from the International Space Station (ISS), but findings say that they mutated and became genetically and functionally distinct from their Earth counterparts, allowing them to persist in the ISS environment over time and potentially aid the survival of other microorganisms present.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 11, 2024 04:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).