Microbial Responses and Regulation in Space Environments: A Review of Research Achievements in China during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period

With the rapid development of China's space industry, the frequency of manned space missions has been increasing, and the duration of astronauts' stay in orbit has significantly extended. The influence of microorganisms has become increasingly prominent. The microbial activities in the space environment have become one of the key factors affecting the successful implementation of space missions. The special space environment can cause imbalance in the human gastrointestinal flora, and through interaction mechanisms, it affects the functions of systems such as the cardiovascular and nervous systems, directly endangering the health of astronauts. In addition, some microorganisms can also cause corrosion of spacecraft materials, leading to pipe blockages. Therefore, in-depth exploration of the response patterns and influence mechanisms of microorganisms in the space environment, the development of new and efficient detection technologies, the research and development of spacecraft microbial prevention and control equipment, and the acceleration of the development and utilization of space microbial resources are of great significance for ensuring the smooth progress of future deep space exploration missions. This article systematically reviews the important research progress made in the field of space microorganisms in China during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, covering aspects such as gastrointestinal microbial interactions, microbial detection, and spacecraft microbial prevention and control. The aim is to provide a reference for the prevention and utilization of space microorganisms in the future.