Scientists have made an exciting discovery: moss spores can survive long trips in
space. The spores spent nine months outside the International Space Station (ISS),
exposed to extreme conditions like intense radiation, temperature changes, and
the vacuum of space.
When the spores returned to Earth, researchers found that more than 80% were
still able to reproduce, showing an incredible ability to survive harsh
environments. This discovery is important because it helps scientists understand
how plants and other living things might survive in space or on other planets.
The findings were published in the journal iScience on November 20, 2025.
According to the researchers, this study provides new insights into how plant
species can withstand extreme conditions, which could have implications for
space exploration, long-term life-support systems, and even growing plants
beyond Earth.
Moss is a simple plant, but its spores are extremely resilient, making it an
ideal subject for studying survival in space. This research also raises
interesting questions about the possibilities of life traveling between
planets and how organisms adapt to very challenging environments.