Category: Space > Resilience
One of the most intriguing discoveries in space exploration is the resilience of tardigrades, also known as water bears. These microscopic creatures can survive in the vacuum of space, extreme radiation, and temperatures ranging from absolute zero to over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. In 2007, researchers sent tardigrades into low Earth orbit on a European Space Agency mission, where they were exposed to the harshness of space for ten days. Remarkably, upon their return to Earth, many of these tiny organisms not only survived but also reproduced, demonstrating an incredible ability to endure conditions that would be lethal to most forms of life. This resilience raises fascinating questions about the potential for life in extreme environments beyond our planet and challenges our understanding of biological limits in the cosmos.