NASA study finds five microbes can survive in lunar south pole conditions
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Five types of bacteria and fungi commonly associated with humans could survive for at least 24 hours in certain areas of the moon's south pole, NASA researchers report August 19 in Science Advances. The hardiest, Aspergillus niger, may persist for more than a week in permanently shadowed regions where temperatures drop to -200° Celsius. The findings will inform decontamination protocols for the Artemis IV crewed mission set to launch in 2028.
Key Facts
- NASA researchers tested three types of bacteria and two types of fungi commonly associated with humans.
- All five microbes survived for at least 24 hours in certain areas of the moon's south pole.
- Aspergillus niger, a fungus found in showers and water heaters, could survive for more than a week in some areas.
- Permanently shadowed regions at the lunar south pole reach temperatures as low as -200° Celsius with little UV radiation.
- Artemis IV, a crewed mission to the moon's south pole, is set to launch in 2028.
Microbial Survival Conditions
Previous lunar missions explored the moon's equator, where high ultraviolet radiation and daily temperature swings make the surface inhospitable to life. At the poles, sunlight hits the surface at a much lower angle, creating permanently shadowed regions with temperatures as low as -200° Celsius and little UV radiation. These conditions are similar to those needed to freeze-dry microbes like baker's yeast, according to Heather Graham, an organic geochemist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Graham and her colleagues investigated three types of bacteria and two types of fungi that have previously hitched rides on spacesuits, inside payload capsules, and on the outside of the International Space Station.
Hardiest Microbe and Contamination Risk
The hardiest microbe was Aspergillus niger, a fungus commonly found in showers and water heaters, with thick cell walls and the ability to repair DNA even in a dormant state. In some areas, researchers estimate Aspergillus could survive for more than a week. Even dead or dormant microbes could pose a threat to lunar research, as their proteins and other chemical signatures would still show up in surface samples and throw off measurements. The study's insights will inform decontamination protocols for Artemis IV and other crewed missions.
Implications for Mars Exploration
Mars provides a more hospitable environment for microbes than the moon, so the risk of life transfer there will be much higher, Graham says. "The better we get at clean exploration on the moon, the much better position we'll be in on a place like Mars," Graham adds.
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NASA study finds five microbes can survive in lunar south pole conditions
