[The cabin microflora of manned space vehicles and the problem of the biological destruction of the construction materials used in them].

It is found that during operation of manned space objects there can occur the microbial growth on the structural materials of cabin interior and equipment which results in their biological destruction. The biodestructing processes can involve single parts of cabin interior, trainer linkages, connectors, cables, illuminators. Ninety four microbial species have been identified in spacecraft environment. The bacterial flora was presented by 19 genera pertaining to 11 families and involved 58 species. The mold and yeast-like fungi were presented by 12 genera and consisted of 36 species. The significant quantities of isolated microbial species were classified as potentially pathogenic microorganisms; many of them are known as biodestructers of polymeric materials. The isolated microbial cultures in space missions have become the basis of strain bank intended for further study and practical use in validating the construction materials.