Fungal Layer Shows Potential as Space Radiation Shield
A study confirms a 0.84% reduction in radiation beneath fungal samples, exploring new materials for deep-space missions.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Space
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In an experiment conducted aboard the International Space Station, researchers found that the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum exhibited a 21% faster growth rate in microgravity than in ground-based controls. The 26-day study, published in 2022, also measured the potential of the fungus as a radiation shield for space travel.
Why it matters
Space agencies face the challenge of transporting heavy radiation shielding to protect crews from the 144 millisieverts of radiation annually received on the ISS. Investigating self-renewing materials like fungi could provide a lightweight alternative to traditional lead or water-based shielding.
The fungal layer measured 1.7 millimeters in thickness and reduced radiation levels to 147 counts per minute, compared to 151 counts per minute in the control group. Further studies are required to confirm if these shielding properties scale effectively for long-duration human spaceflight.
The players
Cladosporium sphaerospermum
A fungal species capable of thriving in high-radiation environments like the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
International Space Station
A multi-nation orbital laboratory providing a microgravity environment for scientific research.
The details
The experiment used a sealed box containing a split petri dish with agar to monitor the fungus, which was sourced from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Researchers utilized a camera to capture images of the fungus every 30 minutes, while radiation sensors placed under the fungal layer and the control agar tracked ionizing radiation intensity. The team hypothesized that the pigment melanin, which absorbs and converts harmful radiation into metabolic energy, might facilitate both the accelerated growth and the shielding effect observed in microgravity.
Timeline
December 2018: The fungal experiment was transported to the ISS.
2020: The research team released a preprint of their findings on bioRxiv.
2022: Peer-reviewed results were published in Frontiers in Microbiology.
The Tech Race
This study contributes to a broader effort to move beyond heavy metallic shielding in spacecraft design. It directly parallels ongoing research into bio-regenerative life support and protection systems intended to sustain crews on long-term missions to Mars.
Current shielding technology remains limited to space-hardened infrastructure, and there is no imminent integration of fungal materials into flight systems. These findings serve as a fundamental proof-of-concept for future shielding materials rather than an available consumer or industrial technology.
The takeaway
Fungal melanin remains a promising, if early-stage, candidate for lightweight radiation protection in future mission architectures. Researchers must now conduct scaled experiments to determine if the 0.84% reduction measured in this pilot can be enhanced to meet safety standards for human spaceflight.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research regarding Space in our dedicated science section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hindustan Times.
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