Human-Related Microbes May Survive Moon’s South Pole, NASA Finds - NASA Science
NASA simulations found microbes could survive for at least 1 day in shadowed lunar south pole niches, including crater floors and boot-print-sized spots.
- A NASA study published Wednesday in Science Advances found five common microorganisms could survive within the Moon's South Pole permanently shadowed regions, raising concerns for upcoming Artemis missions.
- Artemis missions slated for 2028 risk introducing hitchhiking microbes to the lunar surface. Humans carry 1 million bacteria per skin patch, which vent from spacesuits and habitats into the environment.
- Researchers selected three types of bacteria and two of fungi for testing in simulated lunar environments. Aspergillus niger proved most resistant to UV radiation, surviving even in areas with some sunlight exposure.
- Contamination risks interfering with the search for clues to ancient lunar geology and chemistry. NASA geochemist Heather Graham emphasized scientists must "make sure that we are looking at native materials" before surface activities change what researchers will find.
- Prabal Saxena, a planetary scientist at NASA Goddard, views the South Pole as a natural laboratory for studying microbial persistence. Concerns about contamination extend beyond the Moon to Mars, shaping future exploration protocols.
17 Articles
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Microbes from Earth may survive on the moon, scientists find
Microbes from Earth might survive the harsh surface of the moon, albeit in a state of suspended animation, a new study finds.Previous research suggested the surface of the moon was too harsh for microbes to survive. Specifically, a 2019 study found ultraviolet rays and heat from the sun are the greatest barriers for microbial life on the lunar surface. However, this prior work did not account for the shelter that hills and valleys might supply o…
NASA study finds Earth fungi could survive up to 7 days near lunar south pole
The study, published in Science Advances, examined several areas being considered for Artemis landings, including Nobile Rim and Connecting Ridge. Researchers used data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to model surface conditions, then compared them with the known survival limits of bacteria and fungi commonly found on spacecraft.Read Entire Article
The researchers took five usual microorganisms on human skin and inside the ships.Even in a piece of skin the size of a pencil rubber there are a million bacteria.
A NASA study warns that human microbes can survive on the south pole of the Moon and pollute the search for life on Mars.
Human-Related Microbes May Survive Moon’s South Pole, NASA Finds - NASA Science
This image was taken by an Artemis II astronaut from the Orion capsule in April 2026, as the spacecraft traveled past the Moon and back over 10 days. The gray-brown, heavily cratered Moon dominates the frame against black space, with a partially lit crescent Earth setting behind its upper-left edge. NASA Lee esta historia en español aquí. Some of Earth’s microbes likely to hitch a ride to space with human explorers could survive in the shaded no…
Lifeforms Can Survive on ‘Significant’ Regions of the Moon, Study Finds
🌘Subscribe to 404 Media to get The Abstract, our newsletter about the most exciting and mind-boggling science news and studies of the week. Microbes from Earth could survive on parts of the Moon for at least a week, a discovery that suggests that the lunar surface is not as hostile as previously assumed and has implications for upcoming human missions, reports a study published on Wednesday in Sciences Advances.Astronauts haven’t walked on the …
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