New Bacteria Discovered on China's Tiangong Space Station

A new bacterium, Niallia tiangongensis, has been discovered on China's Tiangong space station. This rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium is unlike any previously known terrestrial species. It thrives in microgravity and possesses unique adaptations, including the ability to break down gelatin for survival in nutrient-poor environments and to withstand radiation damage. The discovery highlights the potential hazards of space travel and informs the development of improved sanitation protocols for future long-duration missions. While its terrestrial relative can cause sepsis, the potential risk to taikonauts remains unclear.