Ecology & Biology

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Study

Fungal Pigments Survive 18 Months in Space Aboard the ISS

Fungal Pigments Survive 18 Months in Space Aboard the ISS

What they found

Fungal pigments in Antarctic rock stayed intact after 18 months of space and Mars-like exposure on the ISS.

Fungal pigments in Antarctic rock stayed intact after 18 months of space and Mars-like exposure on the ISS.

The number

18 months aboard the ISS

How solid is it?

Field study

Field study

Field/ecology

Field/ecology

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Published in

Astrobiology

Astrobiology

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Surviving Space

Surviving Space

Fragments of Antarctic rock containing fungi were exposed to open space and Mars-like conditions for 18 months aboard the ISS. Despite harsh radiation and vacuum, key biological pigments—like melanin, carotenoids, and chlorophyll—remained intact. This resilience suggests fungal biomarkers could survive on Mars, strengthening the case for searching for life deep beneath the Martian surface.

Fragments of Antarctic rock containing fungi were exposed to open space and Mars-like conditions for 18 months aboard the ISS. Despite harsh radiation and vacuum, key biological pigments—like melanin, carotenoids, and chlorophyll—remained intact. This resilience suggests fungal biomarkers could survive on Mars, strengthening the case for searching for life deep beneath the Martian surface.

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