"Although the plant is inedible, researchers say the findings could be important for space exploration. Dr Tomomichi Fujita, the lead author of the study, from Hokkaido University in Japan, said: While moss may not be on the menu, its resilience offers insights into developing sustainable life-support systems in space. Mosses could help with oxygen generation, humidity control or even soil formation."
"They found that moss spores encased in a structure known as a sporangium were the most resilient and were able to germinate after exposure to UVC radiation levels that exceeded 100,000 joules per square metre. Further tests suggested these encased spores were also resilient towards vacuum conditions, deep-freezing, high temperatures and radiation within a vacuum. The researchers then sent encased spores to the ISS onboard the Cygnus NG-17 spacecraft."
Spores of Physcomitrella patens survived at least nine months attached to the exterior of the International Space Station and retained the ability to reproduce after return to Earth. Spores encased in sporangia showed the greatest resilience, germinating after exposure to UVC radiation exceeding 100,000 joules per square metre and resisting vacuum, deep-freezing, high temperatures, and radiation in vacuum conditions. Encased spores were mounted in sample holders with varied filters on the ISS after launch aboard Cygnus NG-17. Moss is inedible but could contribute to oxygen production, humidity control, and gradual soil formation for extraterrestrial life-support and habitat generation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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