A new species of bacteria, Niallia tiangongensis, has been discovered aboard China’s Tiangong space station, sparking curiosity and concern among scientists. The bacterium was identified by Dr. Junxia Yuan from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group in Beijing after conducting detailed genetic and biochemical tests.
The tiny organism is well-suited to the environment hundreds of miles above Earth’s surface, with unique traits such as forming spores that aid its survival in space conditions. It also breaks down gelatin in a distinct way, which could be crucial in nutrient-poor environments.
Researchers are now investigating whether this microbe was originally part of Earth’s enormous microbial pool or developed new traits during the mission. The next step is to confirm if it acquired extra survival skills once exposed to orbital conditions.
The discovery highlights how much scientists still have to learn about the huge array of microorganisms around us, with tens of thousands of bacterial species already cataloged but billions more remaining undiscovered.
As space exploration advances, experts predict that unusual microbes like Niallia tiangongensis will continue to emerge. The safety of astronauts and station hardware is a top concern, and further research aims to better understand the bacterium’s stress response, radiation damage repair, and potential applications for biotechnology on Earth.
The study has been published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, with researchers continuing to analyze its genetic profile, growth patterns, and resilience to radiation. The goal is to determine whether this new species poses any danger to astronauts and develop protocols for disinfection and waste management.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-bacteria-found-on-chinese-space-station-has-never-been-seen-before