Future Trips to Mars Many problems will be. Logically, this is not a journey to come and leave after a short period of time. This is an extremely long journey. Therefore, in order to be profitable, astronauts must remain there in a long stay. At that time, the idea over time is power Install colonies With sufficient resources to live several people. But there are certain problems, such as Lack of oxygen. You can wear hype or oxygen tanks from the Earth, but remember that we talked about profitability. There is nothing profitable in this. Ideal – look for ways Get this oxygen right on Mars; Something, that, according to the recently published study, can be done with some microscopic help.
This assistance is provided by Cyanobacteria ChroococcidopsiWithThere are already enough studies by the field that are focused on it from its state of extremophilic microorganism. This indicates that you can live in extreme conditions. In fact, on Earth it is quite common in deserts And what could be more inhospitable and deserted in future projects of mankind than to travel to Mars?
Everything indicates what Chocococcidize I would have survived well on Mars, but, in addition, it could be such a long -awaited tool for oxygen directly on the Red Planet. This will require only a small carbon dioxide and Martian -Rogolito. That is, the dust covered with the floor of Mars.
Why these scientists focused on their attention to Chocococcidize?
As we have already seen, Chocococcidize This is one Extrefile cyanobacteria. He can live in such extreme conditions as in the desert. On Earth, this was found in some of the main Deserts from North America and Asia. And also in Antarctica, Because yes, despite all this snow, Antarctica can be considered a desert. Less than 200 mm of precipitation falls per year.
After several experiments on Earth, which demonstrated their super -poems, other experiments were selected, this time in Martian conditions. The most important Biomexas an abbreviation of biology and experiment of Mars, and BossWhat is not called that because the main researcher is Bruce Springstin, but for the abbreviations of biofilled organisms for surfing.
Although the purpose of all these experiments was to study if it could be used Chocococcidize On future trips to Mars, they were held in exhibition organisms for the space environment (exhibition) International Space Station.
How were experiments conducted?
In each of the experiments, cyanobacteria was exposed to space conditions for approximately A year and a halfThus, it was clear that almost all the resistance to the slopes of space. His only cryptonite seems to be Ultraviolet radiation extremely, however, it was clear that it was not difficult to protect Chocococcidize From these conditions. Enough with The thin layer is regolito Or a layer of cells of the same cyanobacteria that are imponent at the top to protect them below.
Thus, it was achieved that cyanobacteria survived. Even They could resist other extreme radiationThe cells of the cells reactivated after exposure to the dose of gamma -rays 2400 times higher than this is mortal for a person.
Extreme temperatures are also good
In the experiments conducted on Earth, it was noticed that Chocococcidize I could even survive Extremely low temperatures. When exposed to a temperature of -80 ºC, the cells entered by themselves in a state WitrificationThe field is a process due to which cells that have undergone very low temperatures at high speed become a kind of glass that supports them alive until they are softened again. In fact, this is the main process used today for Keep oocytes or embryos in reproduction clinics.
What does all this have to do with oxygen and travel to Mars?
When checking the ability Chocococcidize To survive extreme conditions, the authors have just been published from Roman University Thor VergatThey wanted to test their qualities in the modeling Martian environment.
First of all, they focused on the report. And in the past the hypothesis that some extreme cyanobacteria could use Martian soils for Get oxygen and install carbon. In the process that is very similar to the photosynthesis of plants on Earth, They will use the nutrients of the relay and carbon dioxideA lot in the Martian atmosphere to cause oxygen so necessary for trips to Mars. But there is a problem.
Martian regolito contains a lot frantic, Some compounds that cause excellent Oxidizing stress In cells, even causing his death. It was a great restriction. However, when they test DNA restoration mechanisms They are so effective that it can even survive oxidation caused by perchlori. This, as explained in the article on this topic, published in Universe todayI would turn chorococcidiosis into an ideal pet to travel to Mars. Yes, you may have thought about the puppy, but it is more useful. In addition, puppies will always be much happier if they remain with their feet on the ground.
Source: Hiper Textual
