We might embrace a new era by the 2040s when human boots touch Martian soil. But for this ambitious leap, we’ll have to set up dependable food sources, medicines, and materials for survival there.
As individuals involved in the research and development of plants for space, we frequently hear people questioning, “Why focus on space when we have pressing issues here on Earth?” With pressing matters like climate change, inequality, and health crises weighing us down, it may seem unwise to turn our sights to Mars.
Yet, venturing into space has historically sparked incredible breakthroughs—not only fulfilling our urge for exploration but also yielding revolutionary inventions through discoveries made along the way.
Benefits of Studying Plants Beyond Earth
The transformation from research findings into practical applications is often termed “research translation.”
The outcomes can be surprising and take many forms. For instance, NASA’s quest for compact imaging technology led to the birth of compact camera sensors — now a staple in our smartphones and medical devices.
That shiny reflective coating found on buildings and cars? It originated from NASA’s need to shield spacecraft from extreme temperatures encountered in space.
Fast forward to the next decade, and we might witness how “space plants” enhance life on Earth in surprising ways. So, what exactly might these space-ready plants look like, and how can they improve the everyday lives of those of us grounded on the planet?
Enhancing Flavor and Nutrition
Moreover, while plants are vital for nutrition and mental health, this isn’t a magic solution for the long duration of space living.
The current space menu comprises mainly shelf-stable, processed foods sent to astronauts, leaving little room for fresh, nutrient-rich options. Animal farming simply isn’t practical beyond Earth.
To combat this, scientists are engineering full-nutrition plant-based foods containing high-quality proteins. These plants are designed to be eatable right from growth, ensuring a proper mix of essential amino acids, along with non-essential aminos normally found in animals like taurine.
By revolutionizing plants in this way, we could reshape agricultural practices on Earth, transitioning to more sustainable plant-based diets that align with the planetary climate challenges and help to bridge nutritional gaps globally.
Researchers are also exploring enticing flavors and textures for plant-based foods to tackle the issue known as “menu fatigue,” often reported by astronauts who notice taste changes in space. Unsurprisingly, spicy dishes have even become favorites on the ISS.
Adapting to Space Challenges
When we consider space, it’s clear that plants will face unique challenges. On Earth, gravity helps plants orient their roots and shoots; this natural process shows how gravitropism works.
In a microgravity setting, though, plants experience confusion due to alterations in hormonal signaling. For example, roots may grow chaotically since microgravity affects their correct guidance.
A lack of gravity makes water behave ‘sticky’ instead of pooling. Water molecules cling together, making it tough for plants to absorb nutrients, risking pedal oxygen supplies—a condition known as hypoxia stress.
This doesn’t just happen in space; flooding consequences on Earth highlight this too. Therefore, techniques to enable plants to adapt to these conditions can lead to valuable insights that help improve crop resistance to excess water back on our home planet.
More Uses Than Just Food
Any Mars colonists would face a tight timetable regarding vital resources like medicine and construction supplies—they can’t wait long to restock. Thus, plans for space-oriented plants extend beyond nutrition.
These plants can be crafted to generate proteins that induce immune responses, which could function as edible vaccines.
Earth’s pharmaceuticals are often derived from microbes, yet engineered plants could also serve as sources for medicinal compounds, albeit with potential negative impacts on growth.
Ultimately, equipping these plants with a mechanism to switch between food and medicinal production can streamline resources, effectively making it as simple as flicking a switch!
The advancement of genetic “circuits” is also underway, intending to enhance plants’ resilience to climate shifts by responding seamlessly to altered environments.
As we take on the strictly limited scenarios like those of space’s extreme nature, we can innovate solutions we’d otherwise overlook.
Just as the struggle to reach the moon resulted in many essential items today, we stand on the cusp of a new wave in biotechnology – growing plants where they’ve never grown.
This article has been republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can read the original submit.
