Tag: dormancy
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Moss Survives 9 Months Outside the ISS and Could Grow on Earth Again
Remarkable Endurance: Moss Defies Harsh Space Conditions In a stirring demonstration of resilience, moss spores were exposed to the unforgiving environment outside the International Space Station for nine months. The surprising outcome: the tiny plants not only survived but retain the potential to grow once they return to Earth. This finding challenges assumptions about what…
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Rare Spacecraft Bacterium Plays Dead, Evading Detection
Uncovering a Hidden Survivor in Space Mission Clean Rooms A team of microbiologists at the University of Houston has identified a rare microorganism that could be quietly evading detection in spacecraft assembly clean rooms by entering a dormant, near-motionless state. The organism, Tersicoccus phoenicis (T. phoenicis), was discovered in environments designed to be as free…
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Rare Spacecraft Bacterium Evades Detection by Playing Dead
Rare Microorganism Found in NASA Clean Rooms Gets a Second Life A rare microorganism, Tersicoccus phoenicis (T. phoenicis), is prompting a rethink of how researchers monitor cleanliness in facilities that prepare spacecraft for launch. Discovered in NASA spacecraft assembly clean rooms, this unusual bacterium may survive by entering a dormant, nearly unseen state, effectively “playing…