Unknown bacteria capable of surviving in space discovered on Chinese space station

A discovery that fascinates scientists. Chinese researchers have identified a new species of bacteria in the Tiangong space station , the South China Morning Post reported on May 17 in an article spotted by Ouest-France.

Named Niallia tiangongensis , the strain was brought back to Earth after a sample was taken in 2023 from the surfaces of the station's equipment by the crew of the Shenzhou-15 mission.

The properties of the bacteria, detailed in an article in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology , intrigue the Chinese scientists who discovered it.

Proteins contained in Niallia tiangongensis allow it to fight against "oxidative stress" and repair "damage caused by radiation", thus promoting its survival in a hostile environment like space.

According to the authors of the scientific article, "understanding the characteristics of microbes during long-duration space missions is essential to preserve the health of astronauts and maintain the functionality of spacecraft."

According to Chinese state television, cited by the South China Morning Post, Niallia tiangongensis could also have a use on Earth. Its ability to break down certain organic compounds could pave the way for new recycling techniques capable of transforming certain waste into "useful resources."