Five years ago, the unmanned spacecraft Beresheet was intended to make a soft landing on the lunar surface. However, the crash of the spacecraft on the Moon raises the possibility that Tardigrades, known to survive even on the Moon, might be living there.
Did the Lucky Tardigrades Settle on the Moon?
The lunar mission faced numerous technical issues from the start. On the day of landing, April 11, a gyroscope failure caused the main engine to lock, and Beresheet crashed into the Moon at 500 km/h from a height of 150 meters.
The spacecraft violently impacted the lunar surface, scattering debris over approximately a hundred meters. Among the spacecraft’s payloads were Tardigrades, microscopic creatures less than a millimeter in size. It’s important to note that these creatures need water to sustain active life and feed on microalgae.
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Is Long-Term Survival on the Moon Possible for Them?
Tardigrades are famous for their ability to survive in various environments, even in the vacuum of space. These creatures can lose up to 95% of their water, halt their metabolism, and withstand temperatures ranging from -272°C to 150°C, as well as high doses of gamma radiation.
This suggests they could survive on the Moon for a while, but not indefinitely. The lack of necessary water, oxygen, and nutrients for these creatures to reactivate and reproduce on the Moon makes this possibility seem low.
However, whether the Tardigrades scattered across the lunar surface from Beresheet’s crash could survive has been a topic of debate in the scientific community. Additionally, the contamination of other planets risks losing opportunities to detect extraterrestrial life.
In conclusion, there is a possibility that Tardigrades are still surviving on the Moon today. To confirm this, a successful lunar mission is needed. Recently, the US’s lunar mission failed.
Given the challenges of lunar travel, we may have to wait a while to find the answer to this question. What are the scientific and ethical considerations of the presence of Water Bears on the Moon? Could the Tardigrades still be alive? Feel free to share your thoughts below.
