Rhodococcus baikonurensis

Rhodococcus baikonurensis is a bacterium species in the genus Rhodococcus. It is Gram-positive, with type strain A1-22(T) (=GTC 1041(T) =JCM 11411(T) =DSM 44587(T)). The strain was isolated from the air of the Russian Space Laboratory Mir along with a large number of other microorganisms that steadily accumulated during the lifespan of the station. Rhodococcus bacterium are known to degrade organic compounds contained in the rubber used aboard the space station with specialized enzymes. This can lead to degradation of critical components and necessitates replacement of the parts or preventive measures dealing with microbial contamination.