Space Lichens

moon_monkey writes "According to a report lichens - a composite of algae and fungi - can survive in space for up to two weeks. An experiment carried out by the European Space Agency saw two species of lichen carried into orbit and then exposed to the vacuum of space for nearly 15 days. These are the most complex form of life now known to have survived prolonged exposure to space. The experiment adds weight to the theory of panspermia - that life could somehow be transported between planets."

impressive?

[kevin.fowler]

If they need more test subjects, my shower walls have plenty of fungus to donate.

panspermia

[krgallagher]

I thought panspermia came from flute playing goats.

Panspermia

[charlesbakerharris]

Sounds like a neat theory, but it'd have to be an absolutely killer climax to have it hit escape velocity. I can't usually get more than 7-8 feet of distance even on a pent-up, high-pressure day.

Obligatory

[Digitus1337]

I for one, welcome out new space-faring algae lichens. As a D&D player I've seen what regular lich can do, but I was unaware of their resistances to space. I truely am scared and confused.

Re:Panspermia

[theJML]

Yeah, and even if they were able to hit escape veolcity, I wonder if they tried an atmospheric re-entry test.

Tosty mold, coming right up!

Reminds me of an old joke

[Jeld]

Question: How long can a human stay in space without a space suit?
Answer: Almost indefinitely <evil grin>

Obligatory NetHack

[DanTheLewis]

This space lichen corpse tastes terrible! You finish eating the space lichen corpse.

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[account_deleted]

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What next?

[Billosaur]

Now that we know lichens can survive exposed to the harsh conditions of space, how about we try it with Karl Rove?

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[account_deleted]

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"Panspermia"

[BronxBomber]

Seen it a few times now. Peter North, Asia Carrera, and a very eager Jenna Jameson. Great money shots.

Oh wait...

Surviving in space

[Prince Vegeta SSJ4]

pffft that's nothing, I've survived in space for over 30 years. ohhhhh, OUTERspace

Shoving will protect you

[Just Some Guy]

So, The Terrible Secret of Space is... athlete's foot? That was sort of anticlimactic.

Hmmmf...

[Alpha_Traveller]

Well it's never going to die if you keep CHECKING ON IT...15 days in space...shesh.

As a firm ID believer...

[Anonymous Coward]

... er scientist...

Of COURSE panspermia is possible. Life can easily travel in space. ... if it's supposed to. The whole thing's planned, y'know.

Re:Feasibility of Panspermia

[temojen]

Rockets maybe... What better way to make absolutely clear to any intelligent life on another planet that there is life where you are from than hucking some of it at them?

The thing is hollow...

[$RANDOMLUSER]

...it goes on forever. And...Oh my God!...It's full of lichens!

Hmmm.... Space herpes!

[poopie]

What the hell was that? Hmmm... space herpes!
... This ship has space herpes?

Conditions they forgot

[RealProgrammer]

- Reentry heat (need to be inside a big rock or something)

- Boredom. Lichens are fairly uncontemplative creatures, however.

Re:Conditions they forgot

[Tackhead]

> - Reentry heat (need to be inside a big rock or something)
> - Boredom. Lichens are fairly uncontemplative creatures, however.

Bored lichens. On fire.

Dude, the Star Wars Galaxies thread is this way [slashdot.org], bud!

Eww.

[pavon]

I don't want to know what kind of flute that goat-man is playing.

Re:That's Not What the Article Said

[ArsonSmith]

Is that why I've spent my whole life on a rock in space and gotten nowhere?

What's the big deal

[Darius Jedburgh]

My biology teacher told me that life was designed by an intelligent designer who can do anything. If he wanted lichen to sprout rocket engines and fly between the stars he could do that too. That's why science is a pointless subject to study and I'll just get back to my cow tipping here in Kansas...

Blistering Barnacles...

[HermanAB]

Oh, great - so my space ship will need anti-fouling to keep space barnacles from growing on it...

Will space barnacles and space weed slow a space ship down? Maybe if it gets stuck in the subspace propeller, or fouls the plasma intake manifold...

Re:While panspermia is possible...

[vertinox]

The fact that chimpanzee DNA is so similar to humans is incontrovertible proof that the two species descended from a common ancestor.

What if the Aliens did the 'nasty' with the monkies?

Hitch-hiker's guide to the Solar System

[Stephen Samuel]

Some forms of lichen can be used as a towel in an emergency.

This proves Intelligent Design

[Subrafta]

The experiment adds weight to the theory of panspermia - that life could somehow be transported between planets.

Only an intelligent designer could have calculated the trajectories and orbits necessary to spread life between planets. Especially given the limited computers available at the time of creation.