Microbes Harvest Metals from Meteorites Aboard Space Station

Researchers study how bacteria and fungi extract valuable minerals from rocks in microgravity conditions

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Scientists have discovered that microbes, including bacteria and fungi, have the potential to be invaluable partners in space exploration by extracting valuable minerals from rocks through a process called biomining. A recent study conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) demonstrated the ability of two microbial species, Sphingomonas desiccabilis and Penicillium simplicissimum, to extract platinum group elements, particularly palladium, from a meteorite sample in microgravity conditions.

Why it matters

The ability of microbes to extract resources from rocks, known as biomining, offers a sustainable alternative to transporting resources from Earth, which is crucial for future deep space exploration and colonization efforts. This research highlights the potential of microbes to play a vital role in resource acquisition and utilization in space, reducing the need for costly and resource-intensive transportation from Earth.

The details

The study, published in the journal npj Microgravity, found that while nonbiological leaching was less effective in microgravity, the microbes maintained consistent extraction rates in both space and Earth-based experiments. In some cases, the microbes appeared to stabilize the extraction process, regardless of gravity conditions. The researchers also observed that the impact of microbes varied depending on the specific metal and the microbial species involved, underscoring the complexity of these interactions.

  • The study was conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2026.

The players

Sphingomonas desiccabilis

A bacterium that was studied for its ability to extract valuable minerals from a meteorite sample in microgravity conditions.

Penicillium simplicissimum

A fungus that was studied for its ability to extract valuable minerals, particularly palladium, from a meteorite sample in microgravity conditions.

Charles Cockell

A researcher from the University of Edinburgh who led the ISS experiment.

Rosa Santomartino

A researcher at Cornell University who performed key analysis for the study.

Alessandro Stirpe

A researcher at Cornell University who performed key analysis for the study.

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What they’re saying

“The microbe doesn't improve the extraction itself, but it's kind of keeping the extraction at a steady level, regardless of the gravity condition.”

— Rosa Santomartino, Researcher, Cornell University (npj Microgravity)

“Bacteria and fungi are all so diverse...and the space condition is so complex that, at present, you cannot give a single answer.”

— Rosa Santomartino, Researcher, Cornell University (npj Microgravity)

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue studying the mechanisms behind microbial biomining in space, including conducting further metabolomic analyses to identify the specific biomolecules involved in the extraction process.

The takeaway

This research highlights the potential of microbes to play a vital role in resource acquisition and utilization for future space exploration and colonization efforts, offering a sustainable alternative to transporting resources from Earth. The findings also have implications for terrestrial applications, such as resource-limited environments, mine waste remediation, and the development of sustainable biotechnologies.