Bacteria capable of surviving harsh space conditions discovered on China’s space station

Bacteria Discovered on China’s Space Station Could Aid Science on Earth (Image: Canva)

A small passenger on China's space station is in the news. During routine inspections by astronauts, scientists found something unexpected—a new bacterial species with robust survival abilities in space.

Microbe With High Resistance Found in Space

The bacterium, Niallia tiangongensis, was discovered on hardware surfaces within the Tiangong space station. Scientists indicate that the microbe can possibly endure extreme space environments because of its special capabilities. The bacterium was highly resistant to oxidative stress, which damages cells when the body's equilibrium collapses. It was also seemingly more resistant to damage by radiation.

The research was reported in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. Scientists from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering performed the research. They recognised some significant differences between two proteins—BshB1 and SplA—which could facilitate the growth of biofilms and DNA repair.

Results May Enhance Existence Beyond Planet Earth

The find came as part of the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program (CHAMP). In 2023, Shenzhou-15 astronauts on board took surface samples from various modules of the space station. These were brought to Earth for comprehensive genomic and metabolic analysis. The bacterium, strain JL1B1071, was identified to be Gram-positive, aerobic, and spore-forming. It was a member of the Niallia genus from the Bacillaceae family.

This little creature may have great promise for life in orbit as well as back on Earth. Its hardiness may be used to develop improved control methods for space environments. Its capacity to deconstruct certain organic molecules may also aid sustainable recycling practices.

The find serves as a reminder that in spotless-looking laboratories hovering around us, life manages to find a way—and frequently brings insight along with it.