Researchers exposed sporophytes of a widespread "spreading earthmoss" to direct space conditions on the ISS exterior for 283 days. Over 80% of the samples survived and 89% of those germinated back in the lab, despite a ~20% drop in chlorophyll a. A model suggests some spores could remain viable for roughly 5,600 days, highlighting potential uses for resilient life stages in future off-world biological systems.
Resilient Moss: Sporophytes Survive 283 Days on ISS Exterior and Regrow on Earth
08:39 AM, 11/23/2025Science
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