New Bacterial Species Discovered on China’s Tiangong Space Station

Scientists from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering have identified a new bacterial species, Neisseria tiangongensis, aboard China’s Tiangong space station. This resilient microbe, capable of surviving the harsh space environment, exhibits unique protein structures that enable it to combat oxidative stress and repair radiation-induced damage. The discovery was published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

Collected as part of the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program, samples from Tiangong revealed this gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium. Its properties hold promise for applications in spacecraft microbial control, agriculture, industry, and medicine. The bacterium can break down specific organic compounds, converting waste into valuable resources for both Earth and space environments.

Researchers believe this discovery could revolutionize waste management in long-term space missions and contribute to developing new radiation-resistant drugs. “This bacterium’s significance extends beyond space exploration, offering potential benefits for Earth-based innovations,” scientists noted.

Source: NDTV