Eli5: If creatures such as tardigrades can survive in extreme conditions such as the vacuum of space and deep under water, how can astronauts and other space flight companies be confident in their means of decontamination after missions and returning to earth?

Question

My initial post was related to more of bacteria or organisms on space suits or moon walks and then flown back to earth in the comfort of a shuttle.

In: Biology

Answer 1

I read a book about precision and it discussed this a bit. It said that basically we know there is bacteria in space on other planets like Mars because we put it there. The rigorous sterilizing efforts done to spacecraft preflight ensured that only the hardiest of bacteria survived, bacteria that could survive space. (If I am out to lunch please correct me if I am wrong, I am referencing a paragraph in a book I read like five years ago).