A new study led by Robin Wordsworth at Harvard proposes a revolutionary approach to building habitats on Mars and other planets. Instead of shipping heavy construction materials, the team suggests using bioplastic and algae to create self-growing habitats. The concept involves using a type of hardy green algae, Dunaliella tertiolecta, to produce bioplastic, which can be used to create dome-shaped chambers. The algae thrive in low-pressure environments and can produce enough bioplastic to meet repair needs. The team’s experiments showed that the algae can flourish in Martian-like conditions, and the bioplastic walls can withstand the thin atmosphere.
The self-growing habitats could be seeded with a single lander, allowing them to grow like coral over time. The concept has potential applications not only on Mars but also on the Moon, space stations, and harsh environments on Earth. The study’s findings also have implications for sustainability technology on Earth, such as the use of low-energy bioreactors. While challenges remain, the team’s vision for biology-based habitats could pave the way for a new era of sustainable space exploration and development. The study was published in the journal Science Advances.