![]() The carbon-14 would then increasingly be "breathed out" over time, showing a steady increase in concentration within the reaction chamber.Īfter the chemical analyses, each soil sample was steadily heated to hundreds of degrees to destroy any microbes, with the intention of seeing whether any such reactions in the soil ceased. In theory, this should be absorbed by any growing and multiplying microbes. In one of them, nutrients containing radioactive carbon-14 were added to the soil samples. The experiments chemically treated small samples of Martian soil in reaction chambers on board the landers. In the 1970s Nasa's Viking robotic landers carried a series of experiments designed to test the Martian soil for the presence of microorganisms. ![]() In other words, simply because something might look a bit like life (mushrooms or otherwise), that does not mean it is. “And after these prototypes are designed for other worlds, we can bring them back to ours.Debate over the true origins of these structures continues today – many scientists have pointed out that well known inorganic processes are quite capable of producing structures which resemble living organisms. “When we design for space, we’re free to experiment with new ideas and materials with much more freedom than we would on Earth,” Rothschild said. Mycelia could also be used to provide bioluminescent lighting, filter water, extract minerals, regulate humidity and even repair itself. “Metrics for these materials show compression strengths superior to dimensional lumber, flexural strength superior to reinforced concrete, and competitive insulation values.” “Mycelial materials, already commercially produced, are known insulators, fire retardant, and do not produce toxic gasses,” according to the project description. The final layer will be made of mycelia, which can gather nutrients from the cyanbacteria layer. The frozen layer can also provide water for the second layer comprised of cyanobacteria, which will convert it into oxygen for the astronauts. On the outside will be a layer of frozen water ice, which can serve as a barrier between the astronauts and radiation. To support that, the project team has designed a domed habitat with three layers. Cyanobacteria uses solar energy to convert dioxide and water in oxygen and food. The fungi will need cyanobacteria to survive. Mars won’t just be a harsh environment for humans, but the fungi as well. ![]() Or, in this example of synthetic biology, they can actually be used to create a different kind of detailed structure like the literal building blocks of a habitat. They can spread out into a multitude of mushrooms. Underneath, mycelia acts like roots that actively build the fungi. The mycelia structure will also be baked to reinforce its structure and further prevent contamination.įungi feed off of organic material and produce spores. This would also prevent any false positive reading for life on the Martian surface that’s really from Earth. The mycelia will be genetically altered so they can’t exist if separated from the habitat, preventing the surface of Mars from becoming contaminated. The habitat would protect humans while also protecting the lunar or Martian surface because the fungi would be contained within the structure. These could survive long-term spaceflight and once the habitat was placed on the surface, all the astronauts would need to do is activate the fungi by adding water. “Instead, we can harness mycelia to grow these habitats ourselves when we get there.”Īstronauts could bring a much more compact habitat made from lightweight materials embedded with fungi. “Right now, traditional habitat designs for Mars are like a turtle - carrying our homes with us on our backs - a reliable plan, but with huge energy costs,” said Lynn Rothschild, the principal investigator on the early-stage project. The project is part of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program that considers different aspects of life as technology. ![]() This would allow for more organic habitats grown from fungi and the threads that comprise their architecture, known as mycelia. One of the projects at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California focuses on myco-architecture. And they will likely take up a lot of space to shuttle them from one planet to another, when other valuable resources may be needed. Transporting habitats or even the materials for habitats that astronauts can safely inhabit during a lunar mission, or an extended stay on Mars, will be expensive. Astronauts on the moon or Mars may be growing their homes, rather than building them, according to NASA. ![]()
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