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Four strains of bacteria, three of which were previously unknown to science, have been found on the space station -- and these microbes could be used to help grow plants during long-term spaceflight missions in the future.
Bacterial Strains Discovered On The Space Station May Help Grow Plants On Mars Source: Frontiers in Microbiology Genome-based phylogenetic tree showing the phylogenetic relationship of Methylobacterium ajmalii sp. nov. with members of the family Methylobacteriaceae. In order to withstand the rigors of space on deep-space missions, food grown outside of Earth needs a little extra help from bacteria. Now, a recent discovery aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has researchers may help create the 'fuel' to help plants withstand such stressful situations. Publishing their...
Methylobacterium species help to promote plant growth and are commonly found in soils on Earth. Experts from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) believe the strains could help create the "fuel" needed for plant growth on Mars when humans eventually arrive. Mars' and Earth's soil obviously differ in many ways. NASA: Unknown bacteria found on the ISS - and it could help with the move to Mars (Image: GETTY) Mars' soil differs massively to Earth's (Image: GETTY) One of the main differences is that Earth's soil has much more moisture, which is better suited for plant growth. But by creating a r...
Story highlights The findings published in the Frontiers in Microbiology described the discovery of bacteria belonging to the family Methylobacteriaceae from different locations aboard the ISS across two consecutive flights The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered three bacterial strains at the International Space Station that may help grow plants on Mars. In order to withstand the rigours of space on deep-space missions, food grown outside of Earth needs a little extra help from bacteria. The recent discovery aboard the International Space Station (ISS) can...
Swab samples of 8 surfaces aboard the International Space Station have led to the identifying of 4 strains of bacteria, 3 of which belong to a newly discovered novel species within the genus Methylobacterium. According to researchers, these new strains might be useful in helping future space missions grow food in extreme environments.