MOSS PIGLETS ON THE MOON

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Moss piglets (also known as tardigrades and water bears) are tiny creatures, just 1mm long. They have been around for 500 million years. They are the great survivors of everything - radiation, extreme cold, no water and every other challenge. They will be here long after us. 

 

Moss piglets are actually present on the moon. Thousands were sent out in an Israeli lunar library, along with samples of human DNA and an archive with 30 million pages of information. The landing module crash-landed there. The moss piglets are believed to have gone into suspended animation and crystallised, i.e., they have become glass. They can stay for years in that condition and revive if circumstances improve. 

 

Moss Piglets on the Moon takes a look at survival and puts humanity and our longevity into perspective against a 1mm-long creature.