Microscopic inhabitants of Earth, possibly tardigrades, may have colonized the Moon, showcasing their remarkable ability to endure extreme conditions. On February 22, 2019, the unmanned spacecraft “Bereshit” was launched by Spaceil and Israel Aerospace Industries with the aim of executing the first private spacecraft soft landing on the Moon. Despite carrying tardigrades among its cargo, the mission faced challenges from the start and ultimately crashed on the lunar surface on April 11th.
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are microscopic organisms capable of surviving in harsh environments through a process called cryptobiosis, where they can lose up to 95% of water in their bodies. Their unique resilience raises questions about their potential survival on the Moon following the spacecraft’s crash.
Although tardigrades can withstand extreme temperatures and radiation, the Moon’s harsh conditions make it unlikely for them to actively thrive or reproduce. The absence of vital components like liquid water, oxygen, and nutrients necessary for their metabolism hinders their active state restoration. However, the presence of these dormant specimens on lunar soil raises ethical concerns about potential contamination of other celestial bodies, which could impede future extraterrestrial life detection.
The unsuccessful landing of “Bereshit” on the Moon, despite its setback, has sparked a conversation about the importance of observing precautions in space exploration to prevent inadvertent introduction of Earthly life to other planets. This incident underscores the necessity for meticulous planning and risk assessment during space missions to safeguard against any unintended consequences on the search and examination of extraterrestrial life.