A report presents a proposal to harness photosynthetic bacteria to generate essential materials needed during human and robotic exploration on the surface of Mars. Utilizing an extremely small amount of H2O and an ample amount of CO2 (and N2 and/or other elements and compounds) already present in the Martian environment, along with sunlight as the source of energy, the bacteria would produce O2 and carbon-containing compounds (and nitrogen-containing compounds). The O2 could be used to support human respiration and to burn fuels; the other compounds could be used, variously, to produce food and fuel or to grow green plants other than bacteria to produce food and fuel. The proposal would exploit the inherent capability of bacteria to reproduce and to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Bacteria to implement the proposal would be bred selectively and/or be genetically engineered for the intended applications, starting from candidate strains of natural terrestrial purple and green bacteria and cyanobacteria that can withstand harsh environments.
This work was done by Hamid Kohen of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To obtain a copy of the report, "A Biologically Evolved and Genetically Engineered Bacteria for Facilitating Oxygen Delivery Throughout the Mars Advanced Outpost," access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Bio-Medical category.
NPO-20927
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Using Photosynthetic Bacteria to Make Oxygen on Mars
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Overview
The document presents a proposal developed by Hamid Kohen at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that explores the use of photosynthetic bacteria to generate oxygen and other essential materials for human and robotic exploration on Mars. The proposal leverages the Martian environment, which contains ample carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2), along with minimal water (H2O) and sunlight as energy sources.
The core idea is to utilize photosynthetic bacteria, which can thrive in harsh conditions, to produce oxygen (O2) and carbon-containing compounds. The generated oxygen would be crucial for supporting human respiration and could also be used for combustion in fuel systems. Additionally, the carbon-containing compounds could serve multiple purposes, including the production of food and fuel, or even the cultivation of green plants to further support life.
To implement this proposal, the bacteria would be selectively bred and/or genetically engineered from candidate strains of natural terrestrial purple and green bacteria, as well as cyanobacteria, known for their resilience in extreme environments. This approach aims to exploit the inherent capabilities of bacteria to reproduce and adapt, making them suitable for the Martian landscape.
The document emphasizes the potential of this biotechnological solution to address the challenges of sustaining human life on Mars by creating a self-sufficient ecosystem that can produce vital resources. The research aligns with NASA's broader goals of exploring Mars and establishing a human presence on the planet.
Overall, the proposal highlights an innovative intersection of biology and space exploration, showcasing how terrestrial life forms can be adapted for extraterrestrial environments. The work is part of ongoing efforts to develop sustainable life-support systems for future Mars missions, ultimately contributing to humanity's long-term exploration and habitation of other planets. The document serves as a technical support package under NASA contract NAS 7−918, underscoring the agency's commitment to advancing space technology and exploration.
