In a groundbreaking revelation, 3 unknown strains of bacteria have been found living in different places on the International Space Station, and scientists at NASA believe this may hold the key to growing crops on Mars.
The bacteria were found on the surface of the station’s dining table and on an old HEPA filter returned to Earth. All four strains belong to a family of bacteria found in soil and freshwater; they are involved in nitrogen fixation and plant growth and can help stop plant pathogens.
Approximately 1,000 samples have been collected from various other locations on the space station but these are now awaiting a trip back to Earth where they can be examined further.