Researchers at the European Space Agency are examining kombucha cultures to determine how sustainable they could be in space environments. These living systems hold considerable potential for supporting human presence on the Moon and Mars as missions push farther from Earth, according to updates shared by ESA channels.
Kombucha cultures form multicellular biofilms that act like tiny biofactories. In the right conditions, they could autonomously contribute to life support by releasing oxygen and helping regulate air quality for crews during long-duration missions.
Experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station and in subsequent studies have demonstrated that certain bacteria can repair damaged DNA and resume cell division after exposure to space radiation and to iron ions that can harm biological material. Additional observations show that cell clusters can create microhabitats that shelter smaller organisms, fostering intricate ecological interactions even in microgravity.
Beyond oxygen production, these microbial communities offer a practical model for studying radiation effects. By analyzing how such microorganisms respond to cosmic radiation, researchers can derive insights that inform protective measures for human health and well-being during spaceflight, including strategies to mitigate radiation exposure for astronauts.
ESA experts note the dual role of these biofabricating microbes: their capacity to generate breathable oxygen and their potential as scalable, self-sustaining biotechnological systems. If refined, these capabilities could support longer missions, habitat maintenance, and resilient life-support loops that reduce the need for constant resupply from Earth.
Historical work indicates that certain bacteria can endure extreme surface conditions on Mars for extended periods, remaining dormant yet viable for tens of millions of years. This resilience hints at the possibility of leveraging microbial systems to assist long-term exploration, environmental stabilization, and in-situ resource utilization as human activities extend beyond our planet.