'Life in space' as scientists discover plankton on ISS

Scientists believe they could have discovered 'life in space' after finding traces of sea plankton on the surface of NASA's International Space Station.

The discovery of plankton, shown here on earth, could prove there is also life in space. Credit: Reuters/NASA handout

Following detailed experiments of the samples, experts confirmed organisms can live in space for a number of years despite zero gravity, harsh temperatures and hard cosmic radiation.

Vladimir Solovyev, chief of the orbital mission on Russia's ISS wing, told Russian news agency ITAR-TASS it was not quite clear how the microscopic particles appeared on the surface of the space station.

He said more research was needed but added: "The results of the experiment are absolutely unique."