On ISS Antarctic Fungi Are Tested For Surviving Life Conditions On Mars

A tiny fungi found on Antarctic rocks is tested on the International Space Station (ISS) in order to evaluate if life would be possible on Mars.

This species of fungi normally grow in the Antarctic Victoria Land, in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Two species of the fungi, Cryomyces minteri and Cryomyces antarcticus, were collected from McMurdo because in that area the earthly conditions are most similar to Mars. It is one of the most hostile and driest environments on our planet. Only certain lichens and the so-called cryptoendolithic microorganisms are capable to withstand such harsh conditions.

The fungi were placed on a platform in cells. The experiments called EXPOSE-E, were developed by the European Space Agency in order to study the capacity to withstand extreme environments. The platform was sent to the ISS and placed outside the Columbus module.The scientists found that most fungi survived after spending 18 months on board in conditions similar to those on Mars.

Rosa de la Torre Noetzel, co-researcher on the project from Spain's National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), declared in a statement that after exposure to Mars like life conditions the stability of the cellular DNA was still high and 60 percent of the fungi cells remained intact.

The study report was published in the journal Astrobiology. The results of the research help scientists to evaluate the long-term stability and the survival ability of microorganisms on the surface of Mars. De la Torre explained that this information is relevant for future search for life on Mars. Following revelations of NASA last year that scientists had discovered flowing salty liquid on the surface of the Red Planet, the search for the presence of life has intensified.

It was known for long that there is frozen water at Mars' poles, but scientists have never discovered liquid water before. The latest find could have great impact on future expeditions, according to Fox News. By 2030, NASA plans to send a manned mission to Mars.