In unprecedented conditions at the moon’s south pole, hardy microbial life forms could potentially survive in a dormant state, posing significant challenges for future crewed missions.
Unlike previous lunar explorations focused on the equatorial regions—subjected to intense ultraviolet radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations—the moon’s south pole features permanently shadowed regions with temperatures as low as -200°C and minimal UV exposure. These conditions resemble the freeze-drying environments that enable certain microorganisms to endure harsh circumstances, explain researchers in a study published August 19 in Science Advances.
According to Heather Graham, an organic geochemist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the study’s findings will inform decontamination protocols for Artemis IV, set to launch in 2028. While Mars presents a more hospitable environment for microbial survival, the insights gained from lunar analysis will provide critical groundwork for preventing biological contamination during interplanetary missions.
The research team investigated five microbial species commonly encountered in space environments—three bacteria and two fungi—previously detected on spacecraft and the International Space Station. Laboratory simulations under lunar south pole conditions revealed that all test organisms could persist for at least 24 hours in select areas. The most resilient species identified was Aspergillus niger, a fungus frequently found in damp indoor environments. Its thick cell walls and DNA-repair capabilities allow survival beyond 7 days in select sites.
However, survival does not equate to active growth. While microbial reproduction is improbable in these frigid conditions, dormant or deceased organisms could still compromise scientific outcomes. Their biochemical traces might inadvertently contaminate lunar samples, skewing measurements of the moon’s native environment.
“The strategies we develop for preventing contamination here on the moon will be crucial for Mars missions,” Graham emphasized. “Mastering clean space exploration begins with understanding how life persists in the most extreme lunar environments.”
