{"id":30164,"date":"2025-10-06T14:14:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T14:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=30164"},"modified":"2025-10-06T14:14:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T14:14:52","slug":"new-study-finds-essential-bacteria-can-survive-space-travel-unharmed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/new-study-finds-essential-bacteria-can-survive-space-travel-unharmed\/","title":{"rendered":"Groundbreaking Study Finds Essential Bacteria Can Survive Space Travel Unharmed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A world-first study led by RMIT University has demonstrated that Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium crucial for human health, can survive the extreme conditions of space launch and re-entry. This finding could revolutionize long-term space missions and biotechnology.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A trailblazing study led by researchers from RMIT University has shown that <em>Bacillus subtilis<\/em>, a bacterium essential for human health, can endure the extreme conditions of a space launch and re-entry. This significant breakthrough holds promising implications for future space exploration missions and biotechnological advancements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As space agencies across the globe make plans to send crews to Mars within the next few decades, this discovery could be vital. Sustaining human life on Mars means ensuring that essential microbes, which support health, do not perish en route. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The research, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41526-025-00526-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in the journal npj Microgravity, revealed that <em>Bacillus subtilis<\/em> spores can withstand the rapid acceleration, short-duration microgravity and rapid deceleration experienced during space travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur research showed an important type of bacteria for our health can withstand rapid gravity changes, acceleration and deceleration,\u201d co-author Elena Ivanova, a distinguished professor at RMIT University, said in a news release. \u201cIt\u2019s broadened our understanding on the effects of long-term spaceflight on microorganisms that live in our bodies and keep us healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the study, the scientists launched the bacterial spores aboard a sounding rocket, subjecting them to extreme conditions such as rapid changes in gravity and high-speed deceleration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rocket achieved a maximum acceleration of about 13 g and reached an altitude of approximately 260 kilometers, where it experienced microgravity for over six minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Upon re-entry, the payload faced forces up to 30 g and was subjected to spinning at high velocities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite these rigorous conditions, the spores showed no changes in their ability to grow and maintained their structural integrity. This suggests that microbes essential for human health can survive the journey to Mars and other distant destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This research enhances our understanding of how life can endure harsh conditions, providing valuable insights for future missions to Mars and beyond,&#8221; added RMIT space science expert  Gail Iles, an associate professor and co-author of the study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Suborbital Express 3 MASER 15\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WHQF5A5IT9I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:7px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond its implications for space travel, the research could have broad applications in biotechnology. Understanding the resilience of microorganisms can lead to innovations in developing new antibacterial treatments and combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPotential applications of this research extend far beyond space exploration,\u201d Ivanova added. \u201cThey include developing new antibacterial treatments and enhancing our ability to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project was a collaborative effort between RMIT University, space tech firm ResearchSat and drug delivery company Numedico Technologies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Swedish Space Corporation hosted the launch, which featured a custom 3D-printed microtube holder designed by ResearchSat and RMIT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With these encouraging results, the research team now seeks further funding to advance life sciences research in microgravity, potentially leading to improvements in drug delivery and discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rmit.edu.au\/news\/all-news\/2025\/oct\/space-bacteria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">RMIT University<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A trailblazing study led by researchers from RMIT University has shown that Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium essential for human health, can endure the extreme conditions of a space launch and re-entry. This significant breakthrough holds promising implications for future space exploration missions and biotechnological advancements. As space agencies across the globe make plans to send [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[60],"class_list":["post-30164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-science","tag-rmit-university"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"A trailblazing study led by researchers from RMIT University has shown that Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium essential for human health, can endure the extreme conditions of a space launch and re-entry. This significant breakthrough holds promising implications for future space exploration missions and biotechnological advancements. As space agencies across the globe make plans to send&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30164"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30182,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30164\/revisions\/30182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}