Life in space? Sea plankton discovered attached to ISS outer hull
Russian scientists say they made a “unique” discovery while analyzing samples from the exterior of the International Space Station – traces of tiny sea creatures on the station’s windows and walls. It remains unclear how marine plankton ended up in space.
The results of the recent experiments prove that that some organisms are capable of living on the outer surface of the International Space Station (ISS), Vladimir Solovyev, head of the Russian segment of the ISS, has revealed.
Some studies suggest that these organisms may even develop in the hostile conditions of spaceflight, which include vacuum, low temperatures, radiation and others, he added.
“The results of the so-called ‘Test’ experiment are unique. On the surface of the [ISS] windows we found traces of marine plankton – the microparticles – that will become the subject of further studies,” Solovyev was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass.
While the experiments on the matter were finalized last year, it is still unclear how the microparticles could get all the way to the ISS, Solovyev said. Continue reading . . .
Selected RT_News LInks
36 dead, 7 missing in Hiroshima, Japan landslides (PHOTOS)
Four indicted in Feb. recall of 8.7 million pounds of contaminated beef
Texas Gov. Rick Perry turns himself in for grand jury indictment
Russians fear war with neighbors, colonization by foreigners
Watchdog groups slam Ferguson police ‘harassment’ of reporters
Switzerland to EU: We don’t want to sidestep Russian food ban
Worse than Detroit? London one of ‘least livable’ European cities
Poland enlists EU help to launch WTO complaint over Russia food embargo
US government refuses to release info on HealthCare.gov site security
Four Moscow McDonalds shut by Russian consumer watchdog
Biker survives rear-ending car by vaulting on to its roof (VIDEO)