Moss Survives 9 Months in Space

Scientists from Hokkaido University conducted an experiment sending sporophytes of Physcomitrella patens (spreading earthmoss) into space aboard the Cygnus NG-17 spacecraft in March 2022. The moss samples were attached to the exterior of the International Space Station for 283 days, exposed to the harsh conditions of space. Upon their return to Earth via SpaceX CRS-16 in January 2023, researchers, including lead author Tomomichi Fujita, were astonished to find that over 80% of the moss spores survived and retained their ability to reproduce. This discovery highlights the extraordinary durability of Earth's life forms at a cellular level and suggests that moss could potentially survive in space for up to 15 years. The findings have significant implications for future research into extraterrestrial agriculture and the development of ecosystems on other celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars.