According to a new study conducted on Icarus, scientists hope to return a green day to Mars. The journal basically details that NASA is helping scientists learn how they could start producing one or more foods on the red planet. Use of on-site resources, which basically replaces objects commonly found on Earth, to use them both to establish a community and to cultivate people back on our planet. But throwing a bunch of Miracle-Gro on a space shuttle isn’t very practical. Researchers are trying to estimate how difficult it would be for the soil on our neighboring planet to grow organic life. It is a Herculean task that would drastically alter Mars if successful. But for now, really terraforming the planet is a matter of science fiction. But, one day, it might really be possible if several societies put themselves within reach. Regolith, Mars soil, contains elements such as calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium. But the surface rocks are so rusty, along with concerns about weather conditions that much remains to be explored. For now, keep your eyes on the sky.
“Soil on Mars is known to contain most of the planet’s essential nutrients, but many questions about the benefits (e.g., bioavailability of current nutrients) and the limitations (e.g., the scope of toxins) of Martian soil as a means of growing plants have no answer “he said in Icarus’ article.
Andrew Palmer, associate professor of ocean engineering and marine science, told Florida Tech News: “These results underscore that ISRU food solutions are likely to have a lower level of technological readiness than previously thought. Our strategy was, instead of saying that this simulant makes plants grow, so we can make plants grow everywhere on Mars, we have to say that Mars is a diverse planet. “
“Simulating the mineral composition or salt content of these Martian mixtures can tell us a lot about the potential fertility of the soil. Things like nutrients, salinity and pH are part of what makes soil fertile and understanding where Mars soils are in this spectrum is key to whether they are viable and if not there are feasible solutions that are they can use to make them viable. Said Laura Fackrell, a UGA doctoral candidate in geology at The Next Web.
Do you think we will see Mars growing food during our lifetimes? Or is it a little excessive? Let us know in the comments.