Space Kombucha in the search for life and its origin / Research / Human Spaceflight / Our Activities / ESA
▻http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Research/Space_Kombucha_in_the_search_for_life_and_its_origin
Kombucha biofilm
© ESA–J. Harrod CC BY SA IGO 3.0
You might know it as a drink for hipsters or as an ancient brew drunk for centuries in Eurasia, but the culture that ferments sugary tea into Kombucha is going around the world. Bolted to the outside of the International Space Station are the same bacteria and yeasts that are used in making Kombucha.
Tests on Earth have shown that these multicellular biofilms are tough and will most probably survive an unprotected trip through space. But there is only one way to tell for sure and that is why the Kombucha-making organisms and other biological specimens are now circling Earth exposed to space.
Previous ‘Expose’ studies run by ESA have shown that a surprising number of organisms can survive the harsh conditions of space, including tardigrades – also known as water bears – and lichens.