Groundbreaking finding: microbes can endure the brutal journey into space
A new, world-first study led by Australian researchers demonstrates that the spores of Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium important for human health, can survive the punishing conditions of a suborbital space flight. The experiment blasted these hardy microbes to the edge of space in a sounding rocket, subjected them to rapid acceleration, microgravity, and rapid deceleration, and then recovered them for analysis on Earth. The results show no detectable loss of viability or structural integrity, suggesting key human-health related bacteria can withstand launch stresses that are likely to accompany future long-duration space missions.
What the study did and what was observed
Led by researchers from RMIT University in Australia, the team positioned Bacillus subtilis spores in a microtube holder designed for a compact, high-G launch scenario. The rocket experienced peak accelerations around 13 g during second-stage burn and reached about 260 kilometres in altitude before the main engine cut off, entering a microgravity phase that lasted over six minutes. Upon re-entry, the payload faced swift deceleration up to 30 g and spun at high speeds. After landing, the spores were evaluated for growth and structural integrity, revealing no adverse changes in their ability to germinate or in their cellular architecture.
Implications for long-duration spaceflight
Preserving beneficial microbes is a cornerstone of sustaining astronaut health on long voyages, such as missions to Mars. These microbes contribute to immune support, gut health, and blood circulation—factors that can influence overall resilience during extended stays in space. By confirming that at least one robust microbe can ride out the most extreme launch conditions, the study offers data that could be used to design more reliable life-support systems, where microbial ecosystems play a role in air, water, and nutrient recycling.
Expert insights: why this matters
Associate Professor Gail Iles of RMIT emphasizes that understanding microbial survival in space is critical for planning human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. The findings help establish a baseline for how living organisms respond to rapid gravity changes and microgravity, informing both health protocols for astronauts and the development of microgravity-enabled life science experiments.
Broader benefits for earthbound science and medicine
Beyond space, the research has potential terrestrial benefits. Studying how resilient microbes behave in extreme environments can spur innovations in biotechnology and drug development. Researchers suggest that insights gained from microbial endurance could aid in creating novel antibacterial strategies and improving our ability to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The work also provides a framework for future investigations into how long-term spaceflight might alter the bodies of both humans and the microbes that support them.
A collaborative path to future missions
The Australian study was conducted in collaboration with space tech firm ResearchSat and drug-delivery company Numedico Technologies. Samples travelled from Melbourne to Sweden for the suborbital test, which was hosted by the Swedish Space Corporation. Analysis occurred at the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, equipped with advanced electron microscopy and surface analysis capabilities. The team is now seeking further funding to broaden life-sciences research in microgravity, with potential applications in drug delivery, discovery, and chemistry, as well as improved life support strategies for long-duration missions.
Publisher and access details
The study, titled “Effects of Extreme Acceleration, Microgravity, and Deceleration on Bacillus subtilis Onboard a Suborbital Space Flight,” is available open access in npj Microgravity (DOI: 10.1038/s41526-025-00526-4). It adds a crucial data point in our understanding of microbial resilience and its implications for both space exploration and Earth-based science.
What’s next
Researchers hope to secure additional funding to test a broader range of microbes, including those more delicate to environmental stressors, in microgravity. Such work could accelerate the development of robust life-support ecosystems, improve drug delivery strategies in space, and expand our knowledge of how life adapts to environments beyond Earth.
