The survival of some microorganisms exposed to outer space has been studied using both simulated facilities and low Earth orbit exposures.
Bacteria were some of the first organisms investigated, when in 1960 a Russian satellite carried Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, and Enterobacter aerogenes into orbit.
[2] Because of their ubiquity and resistance to spacecraft decontamination, bacterial spores are considered likely potential forward contaminants on robotic missions to Mars.
Measuring the resistance of such organisms to space conditions can be applied to develop adequate decontamination procedures.
[5] Research and testing of microorganisms in outer space could eventually be applied for directed panspermia or terraforming.