Fungus Survives NASA Sterilization, Could Contaminate Mars

A study published April 20 in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that the fungus Aspergillus calidoustus, collected from NASA clean rooms, can survive simulated space travel and Mars conditions. Nearly half of its reproductive spores endured six months of high radiation and two hours of dry heat at 257°F, used for sterilization. The fungus only succumbed to combined severe cold and high radiation. Researchers gathered 27 fungal strains from clean rooms at Kennedy Space Center and Jet Propulsion Lab used during the Mars 2020 mission. The findings suggest NASA's planetary protection protocols may need updating to prevent Earth microbes from contaminating other worlds. Study co-author Atul M. Chander of the University of Mississippi emphasizes responsible exploration. Former NASA planetary protection officer Cassie Conley notes that Earth organisms capable of surviving on Mars likely exist. Co-author Kasthuri Venkateswaran states the results will help refine microbial risk assessment for future missions.