Star Trek: 10 Species That Can Survive The Vacuum Of Space

Although not the same as the Earth creature with which it shares a name, the Tardigrades of Discovery are just as hardy as their namesakes, and then some.

Incorporating DNA from the subspace fungus Prototaxites Stellavatori into its genetic makeup, the Tardigrade is able to access and navigate the mycelial network, a discrete layer of subspace allowing instantaneous travel all across the galaxy. Combined with the Tardigrade's natural ability to survive in the vacuum of space by way of cryptobiosis made its navigational abilities almost infinite.

Although a Tardigrade was first used as a 'pilot' for the Discovery's spore drive, the pain it experienced through jumping, alongside evidence of sentience, created an ethical red line for the crew, and it was subsequently released. Free to travel its fungal pathways, this seemingly inconsequential creature was essential to perfecting spore travel, and thus saved humanity time and time again.