Moss spores have just added a new accomplishment to their resume—surviving for nine months on the outside of the International Space Station! The hardy Physcomitrella patens, known for thriving in harsh environments on Earth, faced the ultimate test in the vacuum of space. Scientists first tested these resilient spores under extreme lab conditions before sending them off in the Cygnus NG-17 spacecraft, where they were attached to the ISS’s exterior.

Upon their return, a stunning 86% of the spores managed to reproduce. Dr. Tomomichi Fujita from Hokkaido University highlights that if these spores can endure space travel, they might one day help establish ecosystems beyond our planet. Who would have thought moss could become the unsung hero in interplanetary exploration? Talk about life finding a way—even in the cold expanse of space!