As NASA prepares for long-duration missions to the moon and Mars for the benefit of all, a habitat growing concept selected by the agency on Wednesday could help “grow” homes using fungi for future explorers. A team of researchers from NASA Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley will receive new funding under NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program to advance their habitat research.
The Phase III NIAC award will provide $2 million over two years to continue the technology development of the Mycotecture Off Planet project in preparation for a possible future demonstration mission. The work is led by Lynn Rothschild, a senior research scientist at NASA Ames.
“As NASA prepares to venture further into the cosmos than ever before, it will require new science and technology that doesn’t yet exist,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “NASA’s space technology team and the NIAC program are unlocking visionary ideas – ideas that make the impossible possible. This new research is a springboard to our Artemis campaign as we prepare to return to the moon to live, learn, invent, create – and then go to Mars and beyond.”
Some habitats, such as landers and rovers, will be delivered to planetary surfaces. However, the mycotecture project team is developing technologies that can “grow” habitats on the Moon, Mars, and beyond using fungi and the underground filaments that make up the bulk of fungi, known as mycelia. This development would allow explorers to travel with a compact habitat constructed from lightweight material containing dormant fungi. By adding water, fungi could potentially grow around that framework into a fully functional human habitat, while being safely contained to prevent environmental contamination.
“We are committed to advancing technologies to transport our astronauts, house our explorers and enable valuable research,” said Walt Engelund, associate administrator for programs in the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We invest in these technologies throughout their lifecycle and recognize their potential to help us achieve our goals – for the benefit of the industry, our agency and humanity.”
The mycotecture project could enable a new, multifunctional material for construction in space, reducing mass and saving resources for additional mission priorities. The proof of concept for this technology was demonstrated through previous NIAC awards. The team created multiple combinations of fungal-based biocomposites, fabricated prototypes, tested materials in a planetary simulator, evaluated improvements including incorporating radiation protection, and drafted detailed mycelium-based lunar habitat designs. In addition to applications on other worlds, this project also has applications on Earth. Mycelia could be used for water filtration and systems that extract minerals from wastewater.
From human exploration in space to advanced propulsion and robotics, NASA aims to change the possible by supporting early-stage space technology research that could revolutionize the future.
“Mycotecture Off Planet is an example of how advanced concepts can change the way we envision future exploration missions,” said John Nelson, NIAC program director. “As NASA enters the next era of space exploration, NIAC is helping the agency lay the necessary foundation to bring innovative visions to life.”
The Phase III award allows the research team to optimize the material properties. It will also allow the team to continue testing in low Earth orbit. Future applications of this project could include integration into commercial space stations or infusion into missions to the moon with the ultimate goal of use on Mars.
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts supports visionary, early-stage research ideas through multiple progressive phases of study. In January 2024, NASA announced 19 Phase I and Phase II proposal selections. NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is responsible for developing the new cross-cutting technologies and capabilities the agency needs to achieve its current and future missions, funds NIAC activities.
For more information about NASA’s investments in space technology, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate
-end-
Jasmine Hopkins
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
jasmine.s.hopkins@nasa.gov