At the moment, it’s still unclear if Niallia tiangongensis actually mutated onboard the space station, or if it’s an unknown species that somehow hitched a ride up from Earth. Either way, the unknowns create a pressing need for contingency liability insurance for manned missions.
Either way, more testing is needed to figure out if it poses any threat to the astronauts currently living and working on Tiangong. That includes in-flight wellness monitoring, infection insurance underwriting, and telemedicine emergency coverage for deep-space travelers.
Experts from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group have stressed that learning more about this bacterium is critical for keeping future space travelers healthy and safe.
This isn’t the first time a weird bacterial mutation has shown up in orbit. Just last year, researchers reported that a bacterium on the ISS had undergone some pretty strange changes.
A March 2024 study revealed that a specific strain of Enterobacter bugandensis — first spotted aboard the ISS back in 2018 — had morphed into something noticeably different from its relatives down here on Earth.
According to the study, “Enterobacter species act as opportunistic human pathogens, causing nosocomial infections with bacteremia, lower respiratory tract, osteomyelitis, sepsis, and urinary tract infection.” These conditions are routinely cited in OB-GYN malpractice claims, negligent discharge cases, and insurance reimbursement disputes tied to critical care billing.
