In the most recent publication of the Daystrom Research Institute's peer-reviewed journal, the Daystrom Institute Journal, there was one article detailing the research conducted over several months by the U.S.S. William Ockham and her crew. Below is the abstract from said journal.
"A comprehensive analysis of genetic and environmental factors in the survival of a variety of bacterial species in the unprotected environs of space. Each species had specimens subjected to vacuum, radiation and other space factors. There was also a control group for each specimen, where each species was kept in an as close to ideal an environment as possible for that particular species. All species chosen were anaerobic, but varied between gram stain positive and negative. Specimens were grown in a controlled space outside of the ship, the U.S.S. William Ockham, while the others were grown inside. Species chosen were: Bacteroides fragilis, Veillonella parvula, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, and Actinomyces radicidentis. After months of exposure and examination, it was discovered that the Peptostreptococcus species fared best in extraterrestrial circumstances, in fact, once raised to proper temperature, it was discovered to have taken little to no damage at all from solar radiation. Of the four species studied, Veillonella parvula fared the worst. For all that it was anaerobic, other environmental factors: temperature and radiation, took their toll and not only halted all growth, but killed the bacteria altogether. The others fared in a middle range, neither excelling nor dying off completely during their course of study when compared to their control group counterparts."
Several science officers aboard the Ockham were credited with this research, including one Lieutenant Pira Xan.
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