Did We Just Introduce Life to the Moon's Surface?
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Chapter 1: The Moon's Silent Surface
The Moon, often perceived as a barren, lifeless body in our sky, faced an unexpected twist this past April.
On April 11, 2019, the Israeli organization SpaceIL aimed to land their robotic vehicle, named Beresheet, on the Moon. Unfortunately, during its descent, the lander's engine ceased to function, leading to a catastrophic crash on the lunar surface.
As a result of this incident, it’s believed that microscopic organisms known as tardigrades may have been scattered across the Moon. Commonly referred to as “water bears,” these resilient creatures are renowned for surviving extreme conditions such as high radiation, desiccation, and extreme temperatures.
What’s particularly intriguing is how these tardigrades ended up on the spacecraft. Do they have any chance of surviving in the Moon’s harsh environment?
Section 1.1: Tardigrades in Space
Tardigrades inhabit various environments around the globe, from rainforests to icy Antarctica. First identified in 1773, these creatures primarily feed on plants and bacteria, although some larger species may prey on their own kind. Their remarkable resilience has allowed them to survive numerous mass extinction events.
Interestingly, the presence of tardigrades on Beresheet was not officially documented, and even SpaceIL's engineers were unaware of their inclusion.
Subsection 1.1.1: Previous Space Research
In earlier experiments, tardigrades were the first animals to endure the vacuum of space. In a 2007 mission, they were exposed to space conditions for ten days, some with UV protection. Approximately 68% of those with shielding survived, although they experienced increased mortality rates.
The tardigrades made their journey to the Moon within a small container on Beresheet. However, the oversight regarding their inclusion in the cargo manifest raises questions about how this occurred.
Section 1.2: A Surprising Addition
A U.S. nonprofit organization, the Arch Mission Foundation, had previously secured permission from SpaceIL to include a digital “lunar library” on the lander, containing 30 million pages of human knowledge.
However, during the process, Nova Spivack, the foundation's co-founder, decided to add a last-minute surprise: a small container filled with epoxy, housing tardigrades that had been dehydrated and placed in a hibernated state.
Spivack had intended to reveal this addition once Beresheet successfully landed, but the crash altered those plans. However, subsequent analysis suggested that both the lunar library and the tardigrades likely survived the impact.
This unexpected turn led Spivack to humorously deem himself the “first space pirate,” as there are currently no specific laws governing the transfer of biological entities to the Moon.
Chapter 2: Will Tardigrades Conquer the Moon?
Despite the possibility of survival, experts agree that tardigrades are unlikely to thrive on the Moon. The distinction between surviving and thriving is crucial.
As mentioned, tardigrades can endure extreme conditions by entering a state of suspended animation, remaining dormant for years until they detect water, which they need to feed and survive.
Unfortunately, the Moon lacks water, and that situation isn’t expected to change anytime soon.
In the absence of water, the tardigrades will likely remain dormant indefinitely. Over time, they would succumb to radiation damage similar to that experienced by tardigrades in previous space studies. Even if future missions brought water to the Moon, the chances of reviving any surviving tardigrades are slim.
The Moon’s unforgiving conditions have already proven fatal to other organisms. For instance, cotton seeds sent by China’s recent lunar mission initially sprouted but quickly died when exposed to cold.
In fact, if any life exists on the Moon, it may be linked to human waste left behind during the Apollo 11 mission. During their time on the Moon, astronauts used bags to contain waste, which are now likely the only remnants of life exposed to the Moon’s harsh environment.
After decades of extreme temperature fluctuations, it’s highly probable that the microbes in those bags are no longer viable. However, if sealed and protected from the elements, there's a slight chance that some may still persist.
Tardigrades aren't the first organisms to reach the Moon, but they are among the few to arrive covertly and unintentionally. Nonetheless, their survival prospects are slim, and they won’t be taking over the lunar landscape anytime soon.
Even so, this unexpected journey raises important questions about the protocols for transporting life to other celestial bodies. While we have previously sent microbes to Mars, it’s essential to establish clear guidelines before sending other life forms beyond Earth.
Sam Westreich, a geneticist with expertise in microbiomes, currently works at a bioinformatics startup in Silicon Valley. Follow him on Medium or Twitter at @swestreich.
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