Development of disinfecting films for repairing surface deterioration of manned spacecraft, caused by microorganisms-biodestructors

The paper reveals the problem of biodeterioration of manned spacecraft (MS) equipment and structural materials by microscopic fungi, bacteria, and yeast. The authors present the restrictions on the use of traditional disinfecting methods in MS conditions. The solution to this problem consists of creating application (topical) disinfectant, capable to stop local and visible zones of the MS surface biodeterioration. Besides, the paper reveals the relevance of the film materials’ development based on synthetic and natural polymers with the inclusion of antimicrobial substances (polymer disinfecting films) in their structure. The results of composition and technology development for obtaining disinfecting films based on synthetic polymers using peroxide-containing agents with wide antimicrobial coverage are presented. The obtained application disinfectants (polymer films) have many advantages in use, as well as the safety of application and storage in the MS conditions in comparison with other types of disinfectants. The paper also presents the physical and chemical properties of the developed films, as well as research data on their disinfecting activity against the most resistant microorganism - spores.