Moss Spores Survive 9 Months of Exposure to Space Vacuum on ISS
By
ashishgupta2209
Crisp on the outside, thoughtful on the inside. A keeper.
Summary
Scientists exposed spreading earthmoss (Physcomitrium patens) spore capsules to the extreme conditions of open space for nine months on the International Space Station. The moss capsules endured direct solar radiation, vacuum conditions, and sharp temperature swings during each orbit. Remarkably, most of the moss spores survived these harsh conditions, demonstrating the organism's extraordinary resilience beyond its already-known abilities to cope with radiation, dehydration, and freezing temperatures.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledMosses are already known for coping with harsh radiation, dehydration, and long freezes.
Now scientists have pushed them even further by exposing their spore capsules to open space for nine months, and most of them survived.
Its spore-containing capsules were mounted on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS), where they experienced direct solar radiation, vacuum conditions, and sharp temperature swings during each orbit.
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