Bengaluru soil bacteria could help build bricks on Mars: Study
The possibility of human settlement on Mars has been a topic of interest for space agencies and scientists around the world. However, one of the major challenges in establishing a human settlement on the red planet is the lack of infrastructure and construction materials. The cost and logistics of transporting construction materials from Earth to Mars make it a daunting task. But what if we could use the Martian soil itself to build structures? A recent study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, and ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has found that a soil bacterium discovered in Bengaluru could hold the key to building bricks on Mars.
The study, published in the journal PLOS One, explores the possibility of using microbes to bind Martian soil into strong bricks. The research team used a bacterium called Sporosarcina pasteurii, which is commonly found in soil and can produce calcite, a natural cement. The team discovered that this bacterium can thrive in Martian soil simulant, a mixture of minerals that mimics the composition of Martian soil.
The researchers found that when the bacterium is added to the Martian soil simulant, it produces calcite, which binds the soil particles together, forming a strong and stable brick-like structure. The bricks produced using this method were found to be strong enough to withstand the harsh Martian environment, with temperatures ranging from -125°C to 20°C and atmospheric pressure that is less than 1% of Earth’s.
The use of microbes to build structures on Mars has several advantages. Firstly, it eliminates the need to transport construction materials from Earth, which would significantly reduce the cost and logistics of establishing a human settlement on Mars. Secondly, the Martian soil itself can be used as a raw material, reducing the need for external resources. Finally, the use of microbes to produce calcite provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of construction.
The study also highlights the potential of using microbes to create a sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystem on Mars. The bacterium used in the study can not only produce calcite but also fix nitrogen, making it a valuable resource for establishing a reliable food source on the Martian surface.
The research team, led by Shubhanshu Shukla, an ISRO astronaut and researcher at IISc, believes that this study has significant implications for future Mars missions. “The use of microbes to build structures on Mars could be a game-changer for establishing a human settlement on the red planet,” said Shukla. “Our study shows that it is possible to use Martian soil itself to build strong and stable structures, reducing the need for external resources.”
The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from IISER Kolkata and IISc, and was supported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The research team used a combination of laboratory experiments and computational modeling to simulate the Martian environment and test the feasibility of using microbes to build structures on Mars.
The findings of the study have significant implications for future Mars missions, including the NASA Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface by 2024 and on Mars by the 2030s. The use of microbes to build structures on Mars could provide a reliable and sustainable method of construction, reducing the need for external resources and enhancing the chances of establishing a human settlement on the red planet.
In conclusion, the discovery of a soil bacterium in Bengaluru that can help build bricks on Mars is a significant breakthrough in the field of space research. The study highlights the potential of using microbes to create a sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystem on Mars, and provides a promising solution to the challenges of establishing a human settlement on the red planet. As we continue to explore the possibilities of human settlement on Mars, the use of microbes to build structures could play a crucial role in making this vision a reality.
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