Moss Survives Nine Months in Space, Regrows on Earth
The moss Physcomitrium patens’ sporophyte was mounted on the ISS exterior for about 283–286 days, enduring vacuum, radiation and extreme temperatures. Returned via SpaceX Dragon in Jan 2023, ~86% of exposed spores germinated versus 97% of Earth controls, with a ~20% drop in chlorophyll a, but growth still occurred. The results suggest hardy pioneer organisms could help seed space ecosystems for Moon/Mars missions, potentially aiding oxygen production and soil formation; models even estimate survival up to about 5,600 days in similar conditions.
