Bacteria survived in space and could travel to planets
Recommended for Secondary Grades
A unique bacteria survived in space for some years! Let’s read more about it.
According to the Guinness World Records, the bacterium called Deinococcus radiodurans is the most radiation-resistant lifeform on Earth. This red-coloured bacterium can survive about 3,000 times the amount of radiation that would kill a human.
Nicknamed ‘Conan the Bacterium’, a study suggests, Deinococcus radiodurans can survive in space. It might even make it to Mars. This bacterium can also survive extreme cold, dehydration and acid.
These bacteria were placed in aluminium plates and strapped to the outside of the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an experiment. It showed that the bacteria survived in space for at least three years.
This experiment was called the Tanpopo Mission, conducted by Japanese scientists. It was designed to test the ‘panspermia’ theory. This theory suggests that microbes can pass from one planet to another and actually distribute life.
Scientists believe that if bacteria can survive in space, they could be potentially transferred from one planet to another. If this journey is possible, then it increases the chances of finding life on other planets.
Deinococcus radiodurans can survive extreme radiation because of their extraordinary capacity to repair their DNA when it gets damaged.
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