Official announcements from Chinese space agencies or government

Chinese Scientists Discover Syntrichia Caninervis, a Resilient Moss That Could Thrive on Mars

Jul 7, 2024, 08:00 AM

Chinese scientists have discovered a resilient desert moss species, Syntrichia caninervis, in the Xinjiang region. This moss has the potential to survive and thrive in the extreme conditions on Mars, which could play a crucial role in future efforts to terraform the red planet. Researchers at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), have subjected the moss to a Mars-type atmosphere, finding that it could withstand the harsh environment. This groundbreaking research suggests that Syntrichia caninervis could be key to transforming Mars' barren landscape and supporting potential human colonies, potentially turning Mars green.