AFOSR Space Biosciences Program Prepares to Launch Extremophiles to the ISS for POLARIS Mission – U.S. Embassy in Chile
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U.S. Embassy, Chile – The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the basic research arm of the Air Force Research Laboratory, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of the POLARIS (Polar Organisms Launched for Astrobiology Research in Ionizing Space) mission, with a launch planned for mid-May 2026. This landmark experiment will test the limits of biological endurance by sending unique extremophiles to the International Space Station (ISS).
POLARIS represents a strong international and interagency collaboration. The effort is managed by the AFOSR Space Biosciences Program and supported by AFOSR’s international office for the region. Scientific execution is led by the Principal Investigator from Chile’s Fundación Biociencia, in partnership with the Department of Defense Space Test Program (DoD STP) and the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA).
Leveraging expertise in space biosciences and extremophiles, the project integrates microbiology, molecular biology, and biochemical analysis. Several highly resilient microorganisms cultivated from extreme terrestrial environments will be exposed to the space environment for six months aboard the ISS MISSE facility.
Notably, the experiment includes a Chilean Deinococcus strain capable of surviving exceptionally high radiation levels, far exceeding human tolerance. By comparing space-exposed samples with Earth-based controls, researchers will assess morphological, genomic, and proteomic changes to identify genes and proteins responsible for exceptional radiation resistance, DNA repair mechanisms, and long-term survival.
A primary objective of POLARIS is translating these biological survival strategies into future operational capabilities for the warfighter, such as enhancing personnel survivability and logistical efficiency in austere environments. Beyond its defense relevance, POLARIS highlights the strength of international scientific partnerships and collaborative research.”
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