Moss, commonly found growing on garden walls, can survive even in space, a new experiment has shown. In 2022, Japanese scientists sent moss spores to the International Space Station, where they spent nine months exposed to harsh conditions like radiation and microgravity. The results: over 80% of the spores survived and germinated successfully upon their return.
This discovery highlights the potential for moss as a component of future ecosystems beyond Earth. Moss, a type of bryophyte that reproduces via spores instead of seeds, has long been known to thrive in extreme environments like the Arctic and hot deserts. By studying its resilience in space, scientists hope to better understand how to sustain life on other planets.
The experiment found that moss spores exposed to ultraviolet light generated less chlorophyll than usual, but were not significantly affected by gravity or extreme temperatures. This makes them a promising candidate for planetary greening and life support systems.
Source: https://futurism.com/space/moss-space-station