SMRTR Science & EngineeringMay 6, 2026Scientific American

Could this fungus live on Mars? Maybe it already does

SMRTR summary

*Aspergillus calidoustus*, found in NASA's sterile assembly rooms, withstood UV radiation, simulated Martian conditions, and 125°C sterilization — suggesting past missions may have transported Earth microbes to Mars, revealing flaws in planetary protection protocols.

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