Scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) are testing kombucha crops to assess their sustainability in space. These microorganisms hold great promise for supporting human existence on the Moon and Mars, he says Message On ESA’s website.
Kombucha’s multicellular biofilms are considered biofactories that could autonomously power the life support systems of future alien settlements by releasing oxygen.
Tests on the International Space Station and beyond have shown that bacteria can repair their DNA and resume cell division even after exposure to cosmic radiation and bombardment with organic-damaging iron ions. Another experiment showed that cell clusters provide microhabitats for smaller species.
Microbes can also provide a valuable “radiation model.” By understanding how these microorganisms respond, researchers can gain insight into how to improve human health and well-being. This includes developing radiation protection strategies for astronauts.
“With its capabilities to produce oxygen and act as a biofactory, this biotechnology could significantly enhance future space missions and human space exploration efforts,” said Nicol Caplin, ESA deep space research expert.
Previous scientists I learnedIt turns out that bacteria can live dormant on the surface of Mars for more than 280 million years.