The International Space Station (ISS) might be too clean, and that could be making astronauts sick, according to a new study.
Scientists found that astronauts often experience skin rashes, allergies, and bacterial infections, which were once thought to be caused by space travel. Now, researchers believe the ultra-clean environment of the ISS may also be to blame.
The ISS, launched in 1998, has been home to astronauts for more than 25 years. A team of scientists from the U.S. worked with astronauts on board to study tiny living organisms called microbes, which exist everywhere and help keep people healthy. By swabbing over 800 surfaces, they found that most microbes on the ISS came from human skin. However, the variety of microbes in space was much lower than on Earth.
Experts think this lack of microbial diversity might be linked to astronauts developing skin conditions like rashes and cold sores. While more research is needed, scientists suggest that allowing a little more microbial life on board could actually help astronauts stay healthier.
The ISS serves as a giant floating laboratory where astronauts from around the world conduct experiments in space. However, in 2030, funding for the ISS is set to end, and SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk, will bring it back down to Earth.
