We’d heard about species of radiation-loving fungus in relation to Chernobyl in the past, but this article by Stephen Johnson in Big Think explains how they’ve been testing it on the International Space Station.

Specifically, they’ve been testing it with the idea that some form of this radiotrophic fungus could help shield astronauts bound for Mars. Exciting news.

And, as we’ve put real-universe science into Rogue Tyger, we’ll almost certainly have some mention of the “radiotrophic fungal layer” in the ship’s shielding in some future episode.

Because science is cool.