Are there microscopic living things which can survive in outer space?

Answer 1

There were bacteria (streptococcus?) in the insulation of one of the Surveyor landers on the moon, found alive after being there 3 years, brought back home by one of the Apollo crews and successfully cultured. There have also been recent experiments in orbit that show many microbes are still viable after exposure to space.

Answer 2

I saw this show on the Animal Planet called "The Most Extreme," and it said there was this microscopic creature called a "water bear" that might could survive in space. They can handle temperatures only a few degrees above absolute zero, withstand abaout a thousand times stronger radiation than a human, go without food or water for years, and survive in a vacuum. The show didn't say anything about space specifically, but it sounds like they could probably survive there. They go into cryptobiosis (a fancy word for suspended animation) under these extreme conditions, then wake up when they reach a comparatively warm, moist environment.

Answer 3

No, or atleast not for a prolonged period of time. All microscopic creatures need to live near a water source and last time I saw, their is no water excessible in most of space. Most who have also evolved in our atmosphere need air and a food source. Sorry but no, none can survive.

Answer 4

We are just beginning to learn how tough life can be. I wouldn't rule it out. Evolution has produced a lot of cool stuff we already know about, and we've barely looked outside our atmosphere.