NASA is continuing its mission to conduct long-duration explorations of the Moon and Mars. An innovative project has been selected by the agency, which seeks to develop space habitats with fungi.
This concept, called Mycotecture Off Planet, will be implemented with support from NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. The research team at Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California, will receive a $2 million grant over two years to further advance the technology.
What will the mushroom space habitats project look like?
The NIAC Phase III funding will allow the team of Lynn Rothschild, senior research scientist at NASA Ames, to continue development of the project. The initiative seeks to use mycelia, the subway threads of fungi, to “grow” habitats on planetary surfaces.
This approach would allow explorers to carry with them a compact habitat constructed of lightweight material containing dormant fungi, which, with the addition of water, would grow into a fully functional shelter.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stressed the importance of innovation in science and technology for future exploration. Through the NIAC program, NASA seeks visionary ideas that make possible what once seemed impossible, marking a crucial step in the campaign. Artemis campaign, which aims to return to the Moon and eventually explore Mars and beyond.
Spatial transformation with Mycotecture Off Planet
The Mycotecture Off Planet project not only has the potential to revolutionize construction in space, but could also reduce the mass of materials transported and save resources for other mission priorities. Initial tests have shown that fungus-based biocomposites can be effective for habitat construction, including radiation protection. including radiation protection.
John Nelson, executive director of the NIAC program, emphasized that this project exemplifies how advanced concepts can transform future space exploration missions. space exploration missions . Work under the Phase III award will optimize material properties and move toward low-Earth orbit testing, with potential applications in commercial space stations and lunar and Martian missions.
The future of space
NASA continues to support early-stage space technology research, with a vision to radically change the future of exploration. The project Mycotecture Off Planet could have applications on Earth, such as water filtration and extraction of minerals from wastewater, in addition to its uses on other worlds.
The breakthrough in fungal-based space habitat technology represents a significant step toward sustainable deep space exploration. With the continued support of the NIAC program, NASA is laying the groundwork for innovations that will change the way space missions are conducted in the future.
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Source and photo: NASA
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