Microbial Observatory-1 Sample Collection

iss043e198418 (5/15/2015) --- NASA astronaut Scott Kelly is shown during the collection of surface and air samples using various devices in multiple locations to characterize the types of microbial populations on the International Space Station (ISS) for the Microbial Observatory-1 payload. The Microbial Payload Tracking Series (Microbial Observatory-1) investigation monitors the types of microbes present on ISS over a one-year period. Samples are returned to Earth for further study, enabling scientists to understand the diversity of the microbial flora on the ISS and how it changes over time.