Imagine floating 350 kilometers above the Earth on the Soviet space station Mir, where astronauts encountered an unexpected problem. The once-clear porthole was obscured by a green and black web-like growth. This mysterious invader soon spread throughout the shuttle, covering air conditioners and corroding control panels, threatening both the station’s safety and the astronauts’ lives. The culprit? Several species of fungi from Earth that had remarkably survived the journey to space. Once there, they adapted to the microgravity and radiation-rich environment. Fortunately, the crew managed to control these fungal threats, allowing Mir to remain operational for 13 more years.
During this time, scientists discovered that fungi might not be a hindrance to space travel but rather a potential ally. These resilient organisms could be crucial for our future on other planets. Outside Earth’s protective magnetic field, most living things require significant protection from the DNA-damaging cosmic radiation in space. However, some fungi are different. Many species produce a special form of melanin, a pigment that absorbs high levels of radiation safely and sometimes even uses this energy to fuel growth. Even when radiation damages DNA, fungi have robust repair systems that can cut out and restore defective sequences.
Fungi are not only resistant to radiation but also to other harsh cosmic conditions. Their hardy spores have thick cell walls that help them survive extreme temperatures. So, how can we use fungi in space? One major challenge of settling on other planets is sourcing materials to build suitable habitats. There are two common solutions: sending supplies from Earth, which is costly at about $10,000 per kilogram, or using materials already present on other planets, like regolith—the dust and fragmented rock covering their surfaces. However, using regolith requires heavy, energy-intensive machinery to process it into usable material.
This is where fungi come into play. Most fungi have hair-like root structures called mycelia that can bind nearby materials, such as wood chips, sawdust, or regolith, into a dense, interconnected web. This web forms a surprisingly durable building material that offers thermal and radiation protection. Scientists working with NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program have developed plans to grow fungal homes on other planets. The idea is to send lightweight, flexible bags filled with dehydrated spores to their new home. Once there, rovers would source water for rehydration and regolith for binding. Alternatively, the bags could be pre-seeded with a lightweight binding material, like dehydrated wood chips.
Another crucial component in these packages is cyanobacteria, which provide nutrients to the fungi and convert sunlight into oxygen. The mycelia grow to fit the shape of their bags, forming the walls, roof, and even furniture of these fungal habitats. Once completed, maintaining these buildings would likely be straightforward, as any cracks could be reseeded and regrown. Scientists could engineer cyanobacteria to alert residents of needed repairs by glowing when oxygen or pressure levels in the habitat drop.
While there’s still much work to be done before these lightweight habitat packs are ready for launch, researchers are already testing these sustainable, carbon-negative fungal habitats on Earth. Housing is just one of many potential uses for fungi in space. Space communities will need to grow their own food, yet suitable soil isn’t readily available off Earth. Fungi can release enzymes capable of breaking down carbon-rich asteroids into soil. They can also be engineered to mine and extract metals like aluminum and iron, allowing space colonies to source these valuable ores locally.
Fungi have come a long way from being a space hazard and will undoubtedly continue to pave the way for new possibilities in space exploration.
Investigate the unique properties of fungi that allow them to survive in space. Prepare a presentation highlighting their resilience to radiation and extreme conditions. Focus on the role of melanin and DNA repair systems. Share your findings with the class and discuss potential applications of these properties in space exploration.
Using materials like cardboard, clay, or 3D printing, design a model of a habitat that could be constructed using fungal mycelia on another planet. Consider the integration of cyanobacteria for oxygen production and nutrient supply. Present your model and explain how it addresses the challenges of building in extraterrestrial environments.
Participate in a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of using fungi as building materials compared to traditional methods. Consider factors such as cost, sustainability, and practicality. Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a class discussion to explore the feasibility of fungal habitats.
Conduct a hands-on experiment to grow mycelium using a substrate like sawdust or coffee grounds. Observe the growth process and document how mycelium binds the substrate into a solid structure. Analyze the potential of this material for use in space habitats and share your observations with the class.
Research how fungi can contribute to sustainable agriculture in space. Focus on their ability to break down asteroids into soil and extract metals. Create a report or infographic detailing how these processes could support food production and resource extraction in space colonies. Present your work to the class and discuss its implications for future space missions.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Floating 350 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, astronauts aboard the Soviet space station Mir made a surprising discovery. Their once clear porthole was clouded with a green and black web-like substance. Soon, these growths were found throughout the shuttle, covering air conditioners and corroding control panels, putting both the station’s integrity and the astronauts’ lives at risk. The invaders were identified as several species of Earth-derived fungi that had, against all odds, survived the journey to space. Once there, they adapted to the microgravity and radiation-dense environment. Thankfully, the crew managed to keep these threats at bay, and Mir remained in orbit for the next 13 years.
During that time, scientists learned that fungi have the potential not to hinder space travel, but to help it. In fact, these resilient, often overlooked organisms may be key to our future on other planets. Once outside the Earth’s protective magnetic field, most living things need serious protection to survive the DNA-damaging cosmic radiation in space. But that’s not the case for some fungi. Many species produce a unique form of melanin, a pigment that safely absorbs high levels of radiation and, in some cases, uses this energy to fuel growth. Even if dangerous levels of radiation damage DNA, many fungi have robust repair systems that spring into action, cutting out and restoring defective sequences.
Radiation isn’t the only cosmic element fungi can withstand. Their hardy spores have thick cell walls that allow them to survive extreme temperatures. So, how might we utilize fungi in space? A significant obstacle to settling on other planets is figuring out how to source the materials needed to build suitable habitats. There are two common solutions. First, we could send supplies from Earth, but this is expensive—it costs roughly $10,000 for each kilogram of weight added to a launch. Alternatively, we could use what’s already there. Homes could be built from the dust and fragmented rock that coat the surface of other planets, known as regolith. Yet this would require large, heavy, energy-intensive machinery to collect, heat, and compact the loose regolith into something usable.
That’s where fungi come in. Most fungi have hair-like root structures called mycelia. As they grow, they easily bind nearby materials, whether it be wood chips, sawdust, or regolith. The result is a dense, interconnected web that makes a surprisingly durable building material that’s both thermal and radiation protective. Scientists working with NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program have devised plans for using this technology to grow fungal homes on other planets. First, lightweight, flexible bags seeded with dehydrated spores are launched to their new home. Once they’ve arrived, accompanying rovers source water for rehydration and regolith for binding. Alternatively, the bags could be pre-seeded with a lightweight binding material, like dehydrated wood chips.
Another essential ingredient in these packages is cyanobacteria, which provide the fungi with nutrients and convert sunlight into oxygen. The mycelia grow to fit the shape of their bags, creating the walls, roof, and even the furniture of these fungal habitats. Once completed, maintaining these buildings would likely be relatively simple, as any cracks could be reseeded and regrown. Scientists could engineer cyanobacteria to alert residents if repair is needed by glowing when oxygen or pressure levels in the habitat dip.
Of course, there’s still a lot of work to be done before these lightweight habitat packs are ready for launch. In the meantime, researchers have begun to iron out the details by growing these sustainable, carbon-negative fungal habitats right here on Earth. Housing is just one of many possible uses for fungi in space. Communities will need to grow their own food, yet soil suitable for plants isn’t readily available off Earth. Fungi can release a variety of chemical-degrading enzymes capable of dissolving carbon-rich asteroids into soil. They can also be engineered to mine and extract metals, like aluminum and iron, which could allow space colonies to source these valuable ores locally.
Fungi have come a long way from their space hazard beginnings and will undoubtedly continue to break new ground.
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This version maintains the essential information while ensuring clarity and readability.
Fungi – A kingdom of spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter, including molds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools. – Fungi play a crucial role in ecosystems by decomposing organic material and recycling nutrients.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse that exists beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, where celestial bodies are located. – The study of space has led to significant discoveries about the origins of the universe and the potential for life on other planets.
Radiation – The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles that cause ionization. – Astronauts are exposed to higher levels of cosmic radiation in space, which poses a risk to their health.
Mycelia – The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments (hyphae). – Mycelia are essential for nutrient absorption and play a significant role in soil health and plant growth.
Habitats – The natural environments in which an organism lives, which provide the necessary conditions for its survival and reproduction. – Coral reefs are diverse marine habitats that support a wide variety of life forms.
Cyanobacteria – A phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis and are often referred to as blue-green algae. – Cyanobacteria are important for their role in nitrogen fixation and as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems.
Nutrients – Substances that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of life. – Plants absorb nutrients from the soil, which are critical for their development and photosynthesis.
Growth – The process by which organisms increase in size and develop, often involving cell division and differentiation. – The growth of bacterial colonies can be influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and nutrient availability.
Extreme – Referring to conditions that are far beyond the normal range, often challenging for most forms of life. – Extremophiles are organisms that thrive in extreme environments, such as hydrothermal vents or acidic lakes.
Environments – The surroundings or conditions in which an organism lives, including all living and non-living factors. – Understanding different environments is crucial for studying biodiversity and the impact of climate change on ecosystems.
