Space volcanic algae in space

ESA project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Ax-4 mission specialist with the Space Volcanic Algae experiment on the International Space Station during the Ignis mission.  

Space Volcanic Algae is an advanced biotechnological experiment involving the deployment of extremophilic microalgae—organisms naturally thriving in volcanic ecosystems—into space. The aim is to investigate their physiological properties to responses to microgravity and cosmic radiation.

Simultaneously, the mission tests an innovative oxygen-sensing technology designed to quantify photosynthetic oxygen production under space conditions.

This experiment is a step toward developing sustainable systems for living in space and enable survival under extreme terrestrial conditions such as high concentration of metals, acidity, and radiation. It makes them prime candidates for integration into regenerative life support systems during long-term space missions. By studying their behavior and viability in space, researchers can evaluate their potential to sustain closed-loop systems by producing oxygen, capturing carbon dioxide, and synthesizing bioactive compounds essential for long-term human habitation on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

This research lays the groundwork for sustainable life-support technologies which play a crucial role for human space exploration. Beyond its space applications, the insights gained may translate to breakthroughs in terrestrial biotechnology, such as the development of robust bioengineered organisms, new pharmaceuticals, and more efficient environmental remediation techniques. Understanding how life endures under extreme conditions may ultimately expand our capacity to address challenges both on Earth and beyond.