A new strain of bacteria has been found on China’s Tiangong space station, according to a recent study. The microbe, named niallia tiangongensis, was discovered in a cabin and is a variant of a previously known terrestrial bacterium.
The discovery has significant implications for the future of space travel, as it sheds light on how microbes adapt to extreme environments. This new strain has evolved mechanisms to withstand oxidative stress and reverse radiation-induced damage, which could have real-life applications.
Understanding these survival strategies could help scientists develop targeted control methods for microbes, benefiting sectors such as space technology, agriculture, and medicine. The study’s findings highlight the importance of monitoring microbe growth on long-term space missions to ensure astronaut health and spacecraft functionality.
Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3310769/new-strain-bacteria-found-chinas-tiangong-space-station