Abstract: Investigating the behavior and response mechanisms of microorganisms in space environments or simulated space environments aids in understanding their adaptability and evolutionary principles in extreme conditions. In this study, the impacts of microorganisms on the space environment were analyzed, and the techniques and equipments for studying space microbiology were introduced. Molecular mechanisms underlying microbial growth and morphology, mass transfer, secondary metabolite production, immune characteristics, biofilm formation, DNA damage and stress responses under space microgravity and radiation were thoroughly reviewed. The potential of space microbiology in aerospace breeding and biomedical engineering were further prospected. This work holds significant implications for space breeding, provides scientific guidance for space missions, and advances the development of manned spaceflight and space exploration.

Key words: space microbiology, microgravity, radiation, space breeding, bioengineering application