Explore the unique characteristics that make fungi so resilient, and find out why they may be the key to future space travel.

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Astronauts aboard the space station Mir made a frightening discovery: several species of Earth-derived fungi were found growing throughout the shuttle, blanketing air conditioners and corroding control panels, putting both the station’s integrity and their lives at risk. How had the fungi survived the journey to space? Shannon Odell shares why fungi may be the key to our future on other planets.

Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Denys Spolitak.

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View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-are-scientists-shooting-mushrooms-into-space-shannon-odell
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