Can bacteria travel through space?

Answer 1

Bacteria can definitely travel through space. Whether it will be intact after it hits a planet is the question. No bacteria currently on record could escape Earth's atmosphere on its own, but that isn't to say that a hearty spaceborne bacteria couldn't hitch a ride on a meteor impacting the Earth's surface. It is entirely possible we will see bacteria from space in our lifetimes. Of course, that bacteria will probably be defunct as if it survives in a vacuum. Any bacteria of this type would be anaerobic (without oxygen) and the introduction to our atmosphere would kill it. That is, unless there is a third type of bactera that can be both aerobic (survives in atmosphere) and anaerobic (survives with no atmosphere)

I would assume that some scientist in some country has thought to take bacteria samples to space to study the effects of a zero-g environment. In that sense, bacteria can travel through space, they just need a little help from a friendly researcher.

Answer 2

Yes they can travel as well as survive. see details:
On April 20, 1967, the unmanned lunar lander Surveyor 3 landed near Oceanus Procellarum on the surface of the moon. One of the things aboard was a television camera. Two-and-a-half years later, on November 20, 1969, Apollo 12 astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan L. Bean recovered the camera. When NASA scientists examined it back on Earth they were surprised to find specimens of Streptococcus mitis that were still alive. Because of the precautions the astronauts had taken, NASA could be sure that the germs were inside the camera when it was retrieved, so they must have been there before the Surveyor 3 was launched. These bacteria had survived for 31 months in the vacuum of the moon's atmosphere. Perhaps NASA shouldn't have been surprised, because there are other bacteria that thrive under near-vacuum pressure on the earth today. Anyway, we now know that the vacuum of space is not a fatal problem for bacteria.

What about the low temperature and the possible lack of liquid water in space? The bacteria that survived on the moon suffered huge monthly temperature swings and the complete lack of water. Freezing and drying, in the presence of the right protectants, are actually two ways normal bacteria can enter a state of suspended animation. And interestingly, if the right protectants aren't supplied originally, the bacteria that die first supply them for the benefit of the surviving ones!
VR

Answer 3

It seems very possible although the evidence so far coming from man made objects (space probes, etc) has generally been debunked. As far as I am aware (that means I'm likely as not to be wrong here) nobody has ever performed a controlled experiment showing survival of bacteria entering earths atmosphere.

It isn't just bacteria likely to survive the cold and vaccuum though. There was a great experiment with a tardigrade in a scanning electronmicroscope. They evacuated the chamber, took loads of pictures and after opening up the chamber the little champion got up and walked off - thats tough!!

Answer 4

Free-floating bacteria anywhere near the sun (in earth's orbit?) would likely be killed by the sun's radiation, especially a full dose of ultraviolet light. Certain bacteria that need water molecules in their structure would likely dry up in the vacuum of space. Thus, bacterial escaping from earth would likely perish if not protected. This would also likely apply to bacteria arriving from outer space. The sun is a great sterilizing machine (capable of turning human skin red even on an overcast day!).

Answer 5

Bacteria have been found on the lense of one of the cameras tkaen to the moon during the apollo missions; so yes, they can travel through space

Answer 6

It depends on the type of organism.If it is an anaerobic bacterium then it will definitely find it easier to travel through intersteller spaces.Some bacteria can survive at temperatures of 121 degrees and an acidic environment of 1-2pH also.Others are able to live on at temperatures as low as-20 degrees.

Answer 7

Yes, some satellites have been found to have had bacteria on the outside of them when their payloads were recovered by NASA. It is thought they went into a "suspended hibernation" type state and when returned to the heat and air came "back to life". Sort of like microbial life found in the permafrost near the polar regions. Take a chunk of permafrost ice, melt it and the microbes inside start moving again.

Answer 8

honestly attainable. And certainly very in all threat. in spite of the shown fact that, I heavily doubt that they may be back to destroy Earth. No area traveling species may be "allowed" to bypass around destroying different worlds. that's a figment of the unwell imaginations of undeveloped and unevolved human beings. There are extra issues "available" that human beings of their petty limited minds can attainable fathom. too plenty undesirable 50's sci-fi, infant... And as I stated, no longer so hypothetical in any respect... what if "they" ARE here and characteristic been here for a loooong time... disregarded... even maybe attempting to help humanity out? What approximately that speculation... does not that sound extra "logical" ?? Watch in case you in all threat can, The Twilight Zone, (1959) season a million, episode 14, "third from the sunlight". Amazingly sturdy 50's sci-fi. relish! ? @Jesus: you extremely think of all existence in the Universe is like human beings? or maybe humanoid? Come on!! There ARE regulations in area as in each and every thing, even in so-talked approximately as "chaos". ?

Answer 9

Some scientists believe that life on earth began with microbes that could have "hitched a lift" on a comet.

Answer 10

No they cannot because bacteria need oxygen to live like all living things but there are no oxygen in space so that's why astronauts bring oxygen tanks when they travel into space