SpaceX Inspiration4: Microbial Swabs from Dragon Capsule Surfaces

Nine surface swabs and one air control were collected from the SpaceX Dragon capsule during the 3-day Inspiration4 mission in September 2021. Samples were taken twice pre-flight and twice during flight, then stored in DNA/RNA Shield for nucleic acid extraction. The dataset contains metagenomic and metatranscriptomic profiles generated by NASA from these swabs.

Use Cases

• Characterizing the microbiome of spacecraft surfaces based on swab locations like control touch screens and the waste locker.
• Analyzing microbial activity shifts during spaceflight based on metatranscriptomic profiles from the same swab.
• Comparing pre-flight and in-flight microbial communities based on sampling timepoints (L-92, L-44, FD2, FD3).
• Studying the persistence of environmental microbes in space habitats based on surface types sampled.

Strengths

• Samples collected from nine specific surfaces and one air control, providing spatial context.
• Temporal sampling includes two pre-flight and two in-flight timepoints over a 3-day mission.
• Paired metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data extracted from the same swab.

Limitations

• Row count and sample size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data format is listed as BIN, which may require specialized tools for access and analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Microbial swabs collected from Dragon capsule surfaces, stored in DNA/RNA Shield, with nucleic acids extracted for sequencing.

Time Range

Samples collected pre-flight (dates L-92, L 44 relative to launch) and during flight (FD2, FD3) in September 2021.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:05:00.707143; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Low Earth orbit (SpaceX Dragon capsule) and pre-flight training capsule in Hawthorne, CA.