Air Force-led POLARIS mission launches extremophiles to the International Space Station (issnationallab.org)

• Launched May 13, 2026 to ISS
• Focus on extremophile microorganisms
• Military applications for extreme environments

"On May 13, 2026, the POLARIS mission, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, launched to the ISS to study extremophiles. The research aims to develop capabilities for warfighters in extreme environments, leveraging space biology for defense applications."