NASA scientists published research showing that human-associated microbes could survive dormant in permanently shadowed regions near the Moon's South Pole.

Key Details

• Study published on August 19, 2026, in Science Advances led by Prabal Saxena at NASA Goddard.
• Simulations of polar sites including Nobile Rim, Connecting Ridge, and De Gerlache Rim utilized Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data.
• Organisms including Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, and Deinococcus radiodurans were analyzed for UV and temperature tolerance.
• Results emphasize the urgent need to establish baseline contamination measurements prior to crewed Artemis landings and Mars missions.

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