SPACE HOPPER Alien life could ‘hitchhike’ between planets – after microbes survived on ISS for 3 years
MICROSCOPIC life can survive in the cold, darkness of space for at least three years, according to scientists studying bacterial colonies outside of the International Space Station.
The discovery by Japanese experts suggests that alien microbes may hop between planets by piggybacking on asteroids or space debris.
It was the work of scientists behind the Tanpopo experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The project exposes clumps of microbes to the harsh environment of space to test whether they can survive.
Scientists aim to test the controversial idea organisms migrate between planets, moons and star systems, a theory called “panspermia”.
Researchers have previously suggested that life arrived on Earth billions of years ago after it crash landed onto our planet from space.