NASA explores fungi space homes
NASA is investing funding in a new project which could see astronauts live in homes on other planets that have been grown out of fungi.
The space agency has announced…
NASA is investing funding in a new project which could see astronauts live in homes on other planets that have been grown out of fungi.
The space agency has announced that a team of researchers at NASA Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley will receive new funding under the NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program to propel their habitat research.
A total of $2 million will be provided over two years to continue technology development of the Mycotecture Off Planet project in preparation for a potential future demonstration mission.
While landers and rovers will still need to be delivered to other planets, it is hoped the team will develop technologies that could grow habitats on the Moon, Mars and beyond using fungi and mycelia, the underground threads that comprise the main part of fungi.
Should the project prove to be successful, explorers could travel with a compact habitat built out of lightweight material containing dormant fungi.
Once required, the addition of water means fungi can potentially grow around that framework into a fully functional human habitat, while being safely contained to avoid contaminating the environment.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson said: “As NASA prepares to explore farther into the cosmos than ever before, it will require new science and technology that doesn’t yet exist.
“NASA’s space technology team and the NIAC program unlock visionary ideas – ideas that make the impossible, possible.
“This new research is a steppingstone to our Artemis campaign as we prepare to go back to the Moon to live, to learn, to invent, to create – then venture to Mars and beyond.”
Walt Engelund, associate administrator for programs in the space technology mission directorate at NASA headquarters in Washington added: “We are committed to advancing technologies to transport our astronauts, house our explorers, and facilitate valuable research.
“We invest in these technologies throughout their lifecycle, recognizing their potential to help us accomplish our goals – benefiting industry, our agency, and humanity.”
If successful, the mycotecture project could enable a new, multi-use material for in-space construction, reducing mass and saving resources for additional mission priorities.
The proof of concept for this technology was demonstrated through earlier NIAC awards when the team created multiple combinations of fungal-based biocomposites, fabricated prototypes, tested materials in a planetary simulator, evaluated enhancements including incorporating radiation protection and drafted detailed mycelium-based Moon habitat designs.
This project also has uses on Earth in addition to applications on other worlds as mycelia could be used for water filtration and systems that extract minerals from wastewater.
