24/7 Space News
SPACE TRAVEL
NASA Explores the Potential of Fungi to Grow Space Habitats
illustration only
NASA Explores the Potential of Fungi to Grow Space Habitats
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 01, 2024

As NASA prepares for extended missions to the Moon and Mars, a newly selected concept aims to "grow" habitats using fungi for future explorers. Researchers at NASA Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley have received funding under NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program to advance their habitat research.

The Phase III NIAC award provides $2 million over two years to further develop the Mycotecture Off Planet project, preparing for a potential demonstration mission. The project is led by Lynn Rothschild, a senior research scientist at NASA Ames.

"As NASA prepares to explore farther into the cosmos than ever before, it will require new science and technology that doesn't yet exist," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "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."

While some habitats will be delivered to planetary surfaces, the mycotecture project team is developing technologies to "grow" habitats on the Moon, Mars, and beyond using fungi and mycelia, the underground threads of fungi. This approach could enable explorers to travel with a lightweight habitat containing dormant fungi, which could grow into a functional habitat with the addition of water, while being safely contained to avoid environmental contamination.

"We are committed to advancing technologies to transport our astronauts, house our explorers, and facilitate valuable research," said Walt Engelund, associate administrator for Programs in the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "We invest in these technologies throughout their lifecycle, recognizing their potential to help us accomplish our goals - benefiting industry, our agency, and humanity."

The mycotecture project aims to create a multi-use material for in-space construction, reducing mass and saving resources for other mission priorities. Earlier NIAC awards demonstrated proof of concept, with the team creating fungal-based biocomposites, testing materials in a planetary simulator, and designing mycelium-based Moon habitats. This technology also has Earth applications, such as water filtration and extracting minerals from wastewater.

From deep space exploration to advanced propulsion and robotics, NASA supports early-stage space technology research that could transform the future.

"Mycotecture Off Planet exemplifies how advanced concepts can change how we envision future exploration missions," said John Nelson, NIAC Program Executive. "As NASA embarks on the next era of space exploration, NIAC helps the agency lay the necessary groundwork to bring innovative visions to life."

The Phase III award will allow the research team to optimize material properties and progress towards testing in low Earth orbit. Future applications may include integration into commercial space stations or use in missions to the Moon, with the ultimate goal of deployment on Mars.

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts supports visionary, early-stage research through multiple progressive phases. In January 2024, NASA announced 19 Phase I and II proposal selections. NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate funds NIAC activities, focusing on developing new technologies and capabilities for current and future missions.

Related Links
Mycotecture Off Planet project
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACE TRAVEL
Ohio State students to test space food solutions for NASA
Columbus OH (SPX) Jun 09, 2024
NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge kicks off its final eight-week demonstration this month, and a new crew is running the show. NASA's partner for the Deep Space Food Challenge, the Methuselah Foundation, has teamed up with Ohio State University in Columbus to facilitate the challenge's third and final phase. The university is employing current and former students to serve on a "Simunaut" crew to maintain and operate the food production technologies during the demonstration period. The Deep Sp ... read more

SPACE TRAVEL
NASA Explores the Potential of Fungi to Grow Space Habitats

Proba-3 tests formation flying systems on Earth

Chang'e 6 mission raises potential for China-US space cooperation

NASA picks SpaceX to carry ISS to its watery graveyard after 2030

SPACE TRAVEL
Chinese rocket takes off during test, causing local fire

NASA insists Boeing Starliner crew 'not stranded' on ISS

The science behind splashdown

SSC and Firefly Aerospace plan joint satellite launches from Esrange

SPACE TRAVEL
Marsquakes could help detect underground water on Mars

NASA Parachute Sensor Testing Could Make EPIC Mars Landings

NASA's Mars Odyssey Captures Huge Volcano, Nears 100,000 Orbits

Mapping Mars with Open Science Tools

SPACE TRAVEL
Hainan Launch Center Completes Construction for First Mission

Ten make the cut for China's fourth batch of astronauts

China announces first astronaut candidates from Hong Kong, Macau

China Open to Space Collaboration with the US

SPACE TRAVEL
Terran Orbital and Hanwha Systems Form Strategic Partnership

Moon Base Construction: ESA's Innovative Use of 3D-Printed Space Bricks

SES completes euro 3 billion acquisition financing syndication

Iridium Expands Satellite Time and Location Service to Europe and Asia Pacific

SPACE TRAVEL
Space Machines and NewSpace India to Launch Optimus Spacecraft

Intelsat and Starfish Space Sign Agreement for Satellite Life Extension

Time to build zero-debris satellites

Myanmar ethnic fighters battle junta in ruby-mining hub

SPACE TRAVEL
Search for extraterrestrial life focuses on detecting exoplanet atmospheres

Scientists reveal the density differences of sub-Neptunes due to resonance

Artificial greenhouse gases may indicate alien terraforming

Hydrothermal Vents on Ocean Worlds Could Support Life, UC Santa Cruz Study Finds

SPACE TRAVEL
NASA's Juno Observes Lava Lakes on Jupiter's Moon Io

Understanding Cyclones on Jupiter Through Oceanography

Unusual Ion May Influence Uranus and Neptune's Magnetic Fields

NASA's Europa Clipper Arrives in Florida for Launch Preparation

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.