Can Bacteria Survive in Space? NASA Researching!

Could bacteria be thriving in space? Astronauts recently took an unprecedented step—swabbing the outside of the International Space Station to see if microbes can survive in the extreme conditions of space. For years, scientists have studied the bacteria living inside the ISS, tracking how they adapt to microgravity. But this new experiment pushes the limits: Can microorganisms survive vacuum exposure, cosmic radiation, and extreme temperature shifts? Samples collected from life support system vents will be sent back to Earth, where researchers will use DNA sequencing to identify what—if anything—managed to survive. These findings could have major implications for space travel, planetary protection, and even the search for life beyond Earth. If microbes can survive in space, what does that mean for life on Mars or other planets?