Deinococcus bacteria is found on Earth and has been nicknamed Conan the Bacterium by scientists for its ability to survive cold, dehydration and acid. Based on the scientists' estimates, bacteria pellets thicker than 0.5 millimeters could survive between 15 and 45 years outside of the space station in low-Earth Orbit. The team predicted that colonies of this bacteria more than 1 millimeter in diameter could survive as long as eight years in outer space. Previous studies have suggested that bacteria could survive longer in space if it was shielded by rock, known as lithopanspermia, but this study has shown that bacteria aggregates, or colonies, can survive in space, which is called massapanspermia. Bacteria from Earth could present a false negative for life on Mars or act as a contaminant on Mars.

Source: CNN August 26, 2020 04:41 UTC