Moss: The Tiny Space Survivor

Moss has shown it can handle the toughest conditions on Earth, but can it survive in space? Scientists wanted to find out. They sent moss spores to the International Space Station (ISS) and left them outside for nine months. The results were surprising. The moss spores were not kept safe inside the ISS like other plants. Instead, they were attached to the outside, facing the harsh space environment. The goal was to see if moss, which can grow in extreme places on Earth, could also survive in the vacuum of space. After 283 days, the moss spores were brought back to Earth. Over 80% of them survived, and almost 90% could still grow. This was a big surprise. Scientists thought almost none would make it. Moss spores have a tough outer layer that protects them from extreme temperatures and UV radiation. This protection might have helped them survive in space. Scientists think this could be useful for growing plants in space in the future. Moss has been around for millions of years and can grow in many places on Earth. This makes it a good candidate for space travel. Scientists believe moss could survive in space for much longer, maybe even 15 years. This discovery could help us grow plants on the Moon or Mars. It opens up new possibilities for space exploration and living in space.