Undocumented bacteria with ‘biological armor’ discovered on Chinese space station: survives in extreme conditions

Like something out of the movie Spaceman, in which Adam Sandler deals with a giant spider aboard his spaceship, a surprise “guest” has made its way into the Chinese Space Station (Tiangong). In this case, it’s a microscopic creature that had never been identified before.

Niallia tiangongensis, a previously unknown bacterium, was discovered on the surface of a device inside the space station. Its presence in such an unusual environment is surprising in itself, but even more remarkable is its ability to survive under the harshest conditions. While it belongs to a known family (Cytobacillaceae), it exhibits characteristics that set it apart entirely.

The bacterial strain, cataloged by the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group as JL1B1071T, can form extremely resilient spores and produce biofilms—microbial communities that protect it from radiation and extreme space conditions. National Geographic refers to this as a “biological armor.”

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It also stands out for its ability to hydrolyze gelatin, using it as a source of carbon and nitrogen. These traits differ so significantly from its closest relatives that scientists have classified it as a new species. As reported by the South China Morning Post, researchers say the bacterium has a resistance that defies everything currently known about biological survival in enclosed space environments.

Much Still Unknown

At this point, because so little is known about Niallia tiangongensis, it’s unclear whether it could pose a threat to the astronauts currently aboard the Chinese station. What is known is that its Earth-based relative, Niallia circulans, can cause serious infections in immunocompromised individuals. And even though the two differ biologically, the international scientific community warns that intense monitoring is needed.

This discovery is especially relevant because past research has shown that some bacteria can survive even in so-called “clean rooms” used by space agencies—rooms assumed to be entirely sterile. Because of this, experts believe findings like this could play a critical role in the future of space missions, whether by informing the construction of safer astronaut habitats or the development of biological recycling systems.

But most importantly, scientists stress that these bacteria must never escape these environments.