The Few Tough Species That Survive the Rigors of Nothingness

In the 1800s, scientists imagined that life was brought to Earth by a rock that had been knocked off of a distant, life-filled planet. Now, over 100 years later, we are able to test this idea of “panspermia”—by sending life away from Earth and seeing just how well it can fare.

Over the past several years, space. The module, called , features an array of small containers that contain samples from four major varieties of life: bacteria, fungi, archaea, and plants. Unlike astronauts, who take extreme precautions to protect themselves from the hazards of outer space, these bio-suitcases are placed on the exterior of the station for months at end, with little protection. The module is also fitted with sensors that record fluctuations in pressure, temperature, and solar radiation, which provide a record of the organisms’ journey.