Fig. 1.

Schematic of areas that can come into contact or sustain biofilm growth during space habitation. (A) The Water Processor Assembly is an important part in the production of potable water and urine recycling for sustaining astronaut life. (B) Showers/cleaning devices are used to support astronaut hygiene. (C) Medical kits are carried on missions and medicine/medical attention is an important operations and mission planning. (D) Air conduits and collection of humidity condensate are a part of water and air system for life sustainability. (E) In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) will sustain production of needed materials from resources found where the habitat is situated. (F) Crop production in space encompasses the challenges of gathering the necessary compounds and conditions to grow nutritious food in space. Some plants benefit from biofilm although some microorganisms may be considered an infectious plant threat. (G) Food production and shipment, similarly to food crops, require safety measures and may benefit from in-situ production of specific nutrients. (H) Walls in the ISS have shown fungal growth before [13] and considering interior/exterior walls that may contain proliferating organisms is of importance for maintenance of a habitat (I) Urinals and full toilets are part of mission planning and contain surfaces that get dirty but also provide matter that can be reused (J) Part of urinals, air, and water systems are the individual components of Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) which contain hosing, heat exchangers, filters, and entire units with wet surfaces were biofilms may thrive (K) Other dry or humid surfaces may exist in the interior, especially science cabinets and technological equipment.