BY SANDHYA | 21 JULY 2025
Chinese scientists have discovered a new strain of space bacteria aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
The bacteria were isolated from samples collected inside Tiangong, including air filters and surface materials.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and space microbiology teams led the identification project.
The bacteria have been temporarily classified as "Arthrobacter tiangongensis", a new microbial variant.
So far, the new strain appears non-pathogenic and doesn’t pose a threat to astronauts’ health.
It may offer insights into antibiotic resistance, mutation rates, and microbial behavior in extreme environments.
NASA has also found microbes aboard the ISS, but this Tiangong strain is genetically unique.
Further experiments will study the bacterium’s metabolism, resilience, and replication speed in space.
Scientists hope it may help in future biotechnology, bio-recycling, or even terraforming research.
The strain will be returned to Earth for gene sequencing and advanced laboratory study.