What risk does the gap between *culturable* microbes and *truly viable* microbes pose for planetary missions?
Answer
Standard testing reports a dangerously inaccurate, lower microbial count that masks the latent population capable of reactivation
If a microbe suppresses its metabolism during testing, standard tests underestimate the true bioburden. The latent population, though suppressed during the test, remains capable of reactivation upon landing in a receptive environment.
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