Move over, Mark Watney – scientists from China’s Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography have found a real-life ‘The Martian’ superstar! A humble desert moss called Syntrichia caninervis just aced the ultimate survival challenge: thriving in Mars-like conditions.
Extreme Survivor Mode Activated
This tiny green hero endured:
– Complete dehydration followed by instant revival
– 5 years at -80°C (colder than your freezer!)
– 30 days in liquid nitrogen (-196°C)
– Gamma radiation doses that would KO most life forms
Mars Simulation Success 
Researchers built a custom Mars chamber matching the planet’s thin atmosphere, freezing temps, and intense UV radiation. The moss didn’t just survive – it partied like it just found water ice on Olympus Mons!
\"This opens new chapters for space exploration,\" the study authors wrote. Imagine moss colonies creating oxygen or stabilizing soil on the Red Planet!
Reference(s):
Chinese scientists find desert moss that can survive on Mars
cgtn.com