Chinese scientists have reported the discovery of a previously unknown strain inside the Tiangong space station, marking the first time a novel species has been reported from China’s orbital habitat …
… the strain belongs to the genus Niallia within the family Cytobacillaceae but is genetically distinct from its closest terrestrial relatives. ..
… the species’ ability to break down specific organic compounds suggests new, sustainable methods for converting waste into useful resources, both in orbit and on Earth.
Interesting question is whether this is simply Darwin at work in the new environment (radiation, etc) of a space station, selecting an existing bacterium that previously was an unnoticed minor also-ran on Earth, or whether this “genetically distinct” bacterium evolved in the space station environment?