FACT: Mold spores can survive and even grow in the harsh conditions of space, including microgravity, extreme temperatures, and cosmic radiation.

Experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have demonstrated that mold spores are incredibly resilient, capable of withstanding conditions that would be lethal to most life forms. This adaptability raises important questions about how life endures in extreme environments and what this means for future space missions.

Mold’s ability to survive in space presents both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, it poses a biocontamination risk, potentially affecting spacecraft, habitats, and even planetary exploration efforts. Preventing unwanted microbial growth is crucial to ensuring astronaut health and the integrity of long-term missions. On the other hand, mold’s resilience could be harnessed for beneficial uses, such as bioremediation to manage waste or as part of life support systems that recycle air and water aboard spacecraft.

Beyond practical concerns, mold’s survival in space contributes to the field of astrobiology, expanding our understanding of what types of life might exist on other planets. If mold can endure space travel, it suggests that microbial life could potentially survive in similarly extreme environments beyond Earth, challenging our perceptions of habitability.

As space exploration advances, studying microbial life in space—including mold—will be essential. Understanding how mold thrives beyond Earth not only helps protect future missions but also informs the search for extraterrestrial life, reshaping our view of life’s potential in the universe.