Scientists have discovered a highly resilient desert moss in China’s Xinjiang region that could support future colonies on Mars, according to a study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The moss, called Syntrichia Caninervis, can survive extreme dryness, very low temperatures, and high radiation, conditions similar to those on Mars. The study, published in The Innovation journal on July 1, states that this moss could help create and maintain ecosystems on Mars by producing oxygen, sequestering carbon, and improving soil fertility. This finding is significant as it offers a potential solution for sustaining life on the red planet.

Researchers found that the moss could recover its photosynthetic and physiological functions almost immediately after rehydration, even after losing over 98% of its cellular water content. Additionally, the moss can endure ultra-low temperatures, regenerating after five years in a freezer at minus 80 degrees Celsius or a month in liquid nitrogen. Syntrichia Caninervis is found in various extreme environments, including Xinjiang, Tibet, a desert in California, the Middle East, and polar regions. This discovery comes as both China and the United States accelerate their space exploration efforts, with upcoming missions aimed at studying Mars and other celestial bodies. China’s space missions include the near-Earth asteroid probe Tianwen-2 next year and Tianwen-3 around 2030 to bring back samples from Mars. Meanwhile, NASA has devised a 20-year plan for Mars exploration to determine if the planet is habitable for humans.