Scientists discover previously unknown microbe on China's Tiangong space station
Chinese scientists have discovered a new bacterial strain aboard the Tiangong space station, the first of its kind found in China's orbital lab. The strain, named Niallia tiangongensis, is a new variant of a known Earth bacteria and was discovered on a cabin inside the space station.
Researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering announced the discovery of the new bacterial strain in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.
The study emphasized that understanding the characteristics of microbes during long-term space missions is essential for protecting astronaut health and maintaining the reliability of spacecraft systems, the South China Morning Post reported.
The researchers found that the new strain has unique mechanisms for adapting to the extreme space environment, with potential real-world applications. It showed an enhanced ability to combat oxidative stress—an imbalance that damages cells and tissues—and to repair radiation-induced damage.
Understanding how the strain survives in space could help scientists develop targeted strategies to control microbes, with potential applications in space technology, agriculture, and medicine. The China Manned Space Agency noted that Tiangong's research would yield a "bumper harvest" of findings on microbial activity, genetics, and metabolism—insights that could translate into innovative uses on Earth.
In a social media post, the agency said the discovery was part of the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Programme (Champ), which monitors microbial changes during extended missions. The microbe was collected in May 2023, while the Shenzhou-15 crew was aboard the station.
The Shenzhou-15 crew spent six months on the space station, collecting microorganisms from the surfaces of the station's modules using sterile wipes. These samples were frozen and brought back to Earth. Scientists then analyzed them using genome sequencing and metabolic analysis, leading to the discovery of the new strain.
As Chinese media reports, the discovery offers two key insights. First, understanding how the microbe survives in space could lead to precise microbial control strategies, aiding the design of interventions in the fields of spacecraft, agriculture, industry, and medicine. Second, the microbe's ability to break down specific organic compounds points to new, sustainable ways of converting waste into valuable resources, both in space and on Earth.
Microorganisms survive in space stations by adapting to complex conditions such as microgravity, radiation, and confinement, an analysis of which could further our understanding of life in space. Despite these harsh environments, they are known for their strength, resilience, and ability to thrive.
Ongoing missions aboard Tiangong are expected to produce a wealth of new genetic and metabolic discoveries. These findings from the space station's unique environment could deepen our understanding of microbial life and potentially lead to innovative applications and environmental sustainability.
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