Found inside China's Tiangong space station The bacteria, named Niallia tiangongensis after the station, are a relative of a soil-dwelling bacterium from Earth.
However, the researchers found that this unique bacteria has evolved special adaptations that help it survive in space.
This includes specialised genes which help repair damage caused by the intense radiation found beyond Earth's atmosphere.
Most surprisingly, the scientists found that the bacteria have evolved the ability to eat gelatine in order to create a tough protective 'biofilm'.
While its closest relative on Earth is known to cause sepsis, it has not yet been determined whether Niallia tiangongensis poses a threat to humans.