Testing microbial biomining from asteroidal material onboard the International Space Station
R. Santomartino, G. Rodriguez Blanco, A. Gudgeon, J. H. Hafner, A. Stirpe, M. Waterfall, N. Cayzer, L. Pichevin, G. Calder, K. R. Birkenfeld, A. C. Waajen, S. McLaughlin, A. Mariani, M. Balsamo, G. Neri, , C. Cockell
The paper tests microbial biomining of asteroidal material in microgravity, finding that fungi enhance metal release but results vary, with space conditions affecting microbial metabolism.
bioRxiv · Jan 13, 2024 · PreprintMicrobiology