This Fungus From A Nuclear Power Plant Can Protects Astronauts On Mars

If we want to live on Mars, traveling there will be the smallest problem. Another more concerning issue is protecting humans from the deadly cosmic rays that are very harmful. To overcome this issue, we need innovative, smart solutions.

Scientists have come up with the idea of building shields out of radiation-absorbing fungus for astronauts. Especially, the fungus grows near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Testing on the International Space Station

Researchers from Stanford and John Hopkins University reported the idea after finding that the fungus could block some cosmic rays in a test on the ISS. With the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, a 2-millimeter sample could block and absorb 2 percent of the cosmic rays hitting it on the ISS. This rate doesn’t protect astronauts but they tested only a very thin sample.

Self-replicate, self-heal

Initially, the fungi was found growing on the walls of the now-defunct Chernobyl nuclear reactor that had a lot of gamma half a decade after the disaster.

According to the study co-author and Stanford researcher Nils Averesch:

“What makes the fungus great is that you only need a few grams to start out, It self-replicates and self-heals, so even if there’s a solar flare that damages the radiation shield significantly, it will be able to grow back in a few days.”

A potential sunblock against cosmic rays

NASA research scientists Kasthuri Venkateswaran, the lead of the experiments on the fungus, said that it could act as a “sunblock” to protect humans from toxic rays after they extracted its radiation-absorbing power, turning it into a drug.

The fungus could also help airline pilots, cancer patients, as well as engineers in nuclear power plants to lead a safer life without being afraid of absorbing harmful rays. It could also be used for a hybrid material to make spacesuits.

What’s the safe thickness of this fungus sample?

According to the study, a layer of this fungus that’s 21 centimeters thick could provide protection against an amount of radiation equivalent to the Martian surface.

With new innovation every day, the path to conquer Mars seems clearer and closer.

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