After a period of 18 months, the container was brought back to Earth. Once there, all the samples were cultured, with the aim of seeing if any had managed to survive. And so it was, although the organism that did it was not the one that the researchers had assumed. It was assumed that some species of bacteria would be able to return to life, since they can be found in practically any environment on the planet. But only a few species of lichen were able to revive, without any apparent damage. They rehydrated and began to grow and, after a few months, were able to reproduce. According to the scientists, these organisms entered a dormant state while waiting for better conditions. And when they found them, they began their life cycle all over again. This result has a very clear scientific implication and utility. At a biological level, it supports the theory of panspermia, according to which life on our planet would have an extraterrestrial origin. During the intense meteor showers that the Earth suffered in its early days, some of these celestial rocks would have brought either entire organisms or at least organic substances capable of giving rise to all subsequent evolution. Although this theory has not been proven, and in many circles it is considered unbelievable, the fact that living beings are capable of surviving in space supports it.