Resilient Moss Spores Bounce Back After Nine-Month Journey on International Space Station
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Hokkaido University have successfully demonstrated that spores of the moss species Physcomitrella patens can survive for up to nine months exposed to the harsh conditions outside the International Space Station (ISS). The discovery has significant implications for space exploration and could potentially play a crucial role in establishing sustainable life-support systems in space.
The study, published in the journal iScience, found that when spores were encased in a structure called a sporangium, they exhibited exceptional resilience to various extreme conditions, including UVC radiation levels exceeding 100,000 joules per square meter. The researchers then sent these encased spores to the ISS on a Cygnus NG-17 spacecraft, where they were attached to the outside of the station in sample holders with different filter settings.
After nine months, the returned samples showed high rates of germination, with even those that had been fully exposed to UV radiation in space still exhibiting an impressive 86% germination rate. However, the researchers noted that a type of chlorophyll in the space-exposed samples showed signs of degradation, suggesting that further research is needed to fully understand the long-term viability of these spores.
The study's lead author, Dr. Tomomichi Fujita, emphasized the potential importance of mosses in developing sustainable life-support systems for space exploration. "While moss may not be on the menu," he said, "its resilience offers valuable insights into establishing basic ecosystems beyond Earth."
However, other experts have cautioned that this discovery is only the first step towards growing plants in extraterrestrial environments. Dr. Agata Zupanska of the Seti Institute noted that dormant biological forms like spores and seeds tend to exhibit greater resistance to environmental extremes than hydrated cells or tissues. She also stressed that the external ISS environment, while harsh, does not fully represent the complexities of true deep space conditions.
The researchers' findings have sparked excitement in the scientific community, with potential applications ranging from oxygen generation and humidity control to soil formation. As we continue to explore the vastness of space, the discovery of resilient moss spores may hold the key to establishing a sustainable presence on other planets.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Hokkaido University have successfully demonstrated that spores of the moss species Physcomitrella patens can survive for up to nine months exposed to the harsh conditions outside the International Space Station (ISS). The discovery has significant implications for space exploration and could potentially play a crucial role in establishing sustainable life-support systems in space.
The study, published in the journal iScience, found that when spores were encased in a structure called a sporangium, they exhibited exceptional resilience to various extreme conditions, including UVC radiation levels exceeding 100,000 joules per square meter. The researchers then sent these encased spores to the ISS on a Cygnus NG-17 spacecraft, where they were attached to the outside of the station in sample holders with different filter settings.
After nine months, the returned samples showed high rates of germination, with even those that had been fully exposed to UV radiation in space still exhibiting an impressive 86% germination rate. However, the researchers noted that a type of chlorophyll in the space-exposed samples showed signs of degradation, suggesting that further research is needed to fully understand the long-term viability of these spores.
The study's lead author, Dr. Tomomichi Fujita, emphasized the potential importance of mosses in developing sustainable life-support systems for space exploration. "While moss may not be on the menu," he said, "its resilience offers valuable insights into establishing basic ecosystems beyond Earth."
However, other experts have cautioned that this discovery is only the first step towards growing plants in extraterrestrial environments. Dr. Agata Zupanska of the Seti Institute noted that dormant biological forms like spores and seeds tend to exhibit greater resistance to environmental extremes than hydrated cells or tissues. She also stressed that the external ISS environment, while harsh, does not fully represent the complexities of true deep space conditions.
The researchers' findings have sparked excitement in the scientific community, with potential applications ranging from oxygen generation and humidity control to soil formation. As we continue to explore the vastness of space, the discovery of resilient moss spores may hold the key to establishing a sustainable presence on other planets.
So I was reading this crazy news about these tiny moss spores that can survive for 9 months in SPACE 
! Like, how does that even happen? And it's not just any space station, but the ISS too! That's wild. It makes me wonder if we could use these spores to help create sustainable systems on other planets... like a way to breathe and stuff. But some experts are saying it's still early days for this tech, because space is harsher than our space station 
. Still, I think it's super cool that scientists are exploring this idea. Maybe one day we'll have mini-gardens in space 
I mean what's not to love about tiny little spores that can survive in SPACE?! 
. And the fact that they can still germinate 86% of the time is just mind-blowing. I'm totally shipping these spores to Mars already 
i can imagine how hard it must be for those tiny little spores to survive in space but they totally did and now scientists have new ideas on how to keep humans alive in space 
. I can see how this tech could be used for life support systems and stuff... we might actually be able to have a sustainable presence in space now 
. And yeah, I get what the experts are saying, but I'm hyped that we're moving forward with this research! Maybe one day we'll even have a space campus 
.
And can you believe the best part? These mosses were basically unbothered by all the harsh radiation they got exposed to 
I mean I get that we still need more research, but seriously... who needs plants in space when you've got MESSY MASSES LIKE THIS?! 
️
. The fact that they can survive UVC radiation is insane! Now imagine having a mini-greenhouse on the ISS, controlling humidity and oxygen levels... it's mind-blowing 
. And the potential for establishing sustainable life-support systems? That's out of this world (pun intended) 
. Still, can't wait to see what other innovations come from space exploration!
and to think they can withstand UVC radiation levels exceeding 100k joules per square meter? 
the fact that even the ones fully exposed to space showed an impressive 86% germination rate is just mind-blowing. 
it's like who knew plants could be so tough? i mean 86% germination rate after being exposed to UV radiation is wild 
! The idea that these tiny spores can survive for up to nine months in space is mind-blowing. It's like, we're one step closer to making plants grow in space and creating sustainable life support systems. Can you imagine having a mini-garden on the ISS? 
anyway, 86% germination rate is kinda cool i guess? but what about those chlorophyll levels tho? dont want our space plants turning into algae or something 
! But like, what's up with the chlorophyll tho? 
. Anyways, I think this study is a big deal 4 space exploration & I'm all 4 it! 
. Just imagine being able to grow your own space garden up there