The 2007 FOTON-M3 mission carrying the BIOPAN astrobiology payload (illustrated) exposed tardigrades to vacuum, solar ultraviolet, or both, showing their ability to survive in the space environment.

They went to space. Some came back alive.

Dehydrated tardigrades spent 10 days in outer space under vacuum or vacuum plus UV. When rehydrated, 68% of the UV-shielded ones revived, and many had viable embryos.

Tardigrades vs Space: Water Bears in the Void

Richtersius coronifer in active and 'tun' states.A↔P = anterior-posterior; mg = midgut; go = gonad;pb = pharyngeal bulb; mo = mouth; st = styletScale bars = 100 μm

Tun mode wins. UV is the real killer.

Hydrated (not in a tun) samples exposed to vacuum and UV survived poorly—only three of the species Milnesium tardigradum made it. Vacuum alone barely affected egg-laying in two tested species, but UV reduced it in Milnesium tardigradum.

Tardigrades vs Space: Water Bears in the Void

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