Scientists from China’s Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering have identified a previously unknown bacterial strain, named Niallia tiangongensis, aboard the Tiangong space station.
The new strain, isolated from surface swabs collected during the Shenzhou-15 mission, shows remarkable abilities to survive in the harsh conditions of space. It demonstrates strong resistance to oxidative stress and radiation damage, crucial challenges for life in orbit.
The bacterium’s resilience has been linked to specific structural and functional variations in proteins related to biofilm formation, stress response, and cellular repair. These adaptations may explain how it withstands the extreme environment aboard the station.
This discovery is part of the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program (CHAMP), an initiative that monitors microbial life aboard the station during long-term missions. The JL1B1071 strain belongs to the genus Niallia within the Bacillaceae family.
The bacterium’s ability to break down certain organic compounds opens the door to sustainable waste recycling technologies, both in space habitats and on Earth. Its mechanisms could also inspire advances in agriculture, medicine, and industrial microbiology.