“Oops!” is funny in sci-fi movies because in real life the consequences of human error in space tend to be terrible.
But not always, according to news this past week.
Before we get to that, though, we need to see tardigrades (water bears) in action because the news video shows them frozen and dehydrated and they look terrifying, just as you and I would in such a condition.
Active tardigrades are rather cute, actually.
I say “active” rather than “living” because, as the National Geographic Society points out below, it may take the death of the Sun to actually kill them off.
A-a-a-a-nd we’ve spilled these indestructible creatures on the Moon. They’re in suspended animation and encased in resin, but still . . .
Here’s the news (more details here):
GAH!
Wait, we’re going back to the Moon in 2024?
Cool!
Featured image: chrstphre, CC BY 2.0
Flight To Wonder 
[…] water bears now rest in suspended animation on the Moon, but that’s our “oops.” (It does, however, show how rugged Life can […]