NASA Scientists Discover Super-Resistant Bacteria That Bypassed Sterilization and Can Survive a Flight to Mars

Cleaning the floor in the facilities of the Robert H. Goddard Space Flight Center. Photo: NASA

NASA's sterile rooms are considered among the cleanest places on our planet. These high-tech laboratories are designed as an insurmountable barrier for any terrestrial microorganisms to prevent accidental biological contamination of other planets during space missions. However, a recent study by scientists showed that even in such extreme conditions, where constant disinfection, ultraviolet radiation, and a severe deficit of nutrients prevail, life finds cracks to exist.

As Live Science reports, an international group of researchers identified 26 new bacterial species previously unknown to science, posing new questions for the planetary protection system.

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Nine of the 26 bacteria discovered in NASA facilities. Photo: materials from the scientific article in the journal Microbiome

These unique microorganisms were found in the facilities of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the Phoenix lander, designed to study Mars, was assembled in 2007.

However, the level of technology at that time did not allow for a detailed study of their genome. Only thanks to modern sequencing methods were scientists able to decipher the DNA of these tenacious "neighbors" of space technology.

Survival Strategies and Risks of Interplanetary Contamination

It turned out that the new species not only survived in an aggressive environment but also developed a whole range of adaptive mechanisms. They learned to create durable biofilms to adhere to surfaces, effectively repair radiation-damaged DNA, and enter a state of deep dormancy in the form of spores, which can exist for years awaiting favorable conditions.

According to the study's authors, the ability of these bacteria to withstand harsh cleaning methods makes them potentially dangerous space travelers. If a microbe can endure treatment with strong chemicals in a laboratory, it can certainly survive a space journey to Mars.

To confirm this hypothesis, researchers have begun building a special planetary simulation chamber in Saudi Arabia. In this facility, which will begin full operation in 2026, bacteria will be exposed to low pressure, intense radiation, extreme cold, and high doses of ultraviolet radiation, simulating conditions on the surface of Mars.

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A technician analyzes a sample under ultraviolet light. Photo: NASA

Researchers state that the identification of these unusually resistant organisms and the study of their survival strategies are of great importance. Any microbe capable of penetrating standard cleanroom controls could also bypass planetary protection measures designed to prevent the contamination of other planets with terrestrial life.

New Opportunities

For NASA, these discoveries will undoubtedly lead to improved decontamination protocols and enhanced detection systems to ensure the sterility of spacecraft.

Despite the risks to space missions, the discovery of these "superbacteria" promises significant benefits for other fields of science. Studying the mechanisms of their incredible resistance opens new perspectives for biotechnology and medicine. Understanding exactly how these organisms cope with genome damage and aggressive chemicals can help in the development of new drugs and protective materials.

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