Beyond Earth: Harnessing Marine Resources for Sustainable Space Colonization.

Mar Drugs

MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET-Aquatic Research Network Associated Laboratory, ESTM, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal.

Published: October 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • The challenge of sustainable space exploration is currently limited by resource scarcity and harsh environments, prompting a search for innovative solutions.
  • Recent advancements in space biotechnology suggest that marine organisms and their chemicals can provide essential resources for long-term life support, food, medicine, and energy in space habitats.
  • By exploring the untapped potential of Earth's oceans, researchers envision a future where humans can thrive on other planets, merging marine and space sciences to push the boundaries of colonization.

Article Abstract

The quest for sustainable space exploration and colonization is a challenge in its infancy, which faces scarcity of resources and an inhospitable environment. In recent years, advancements in space biotechnology have emerged as potential solutions to the hurdles of prolonged space habitation. Taking cues from the oceans, this review focuses on the sundry types of marine organisms and marine-derived chemicals that have the potential of sustaining life beyond planet Earth. It addresses how marine life, including algae, invertebrates, and microorganisms, may be useful in bioregenerative life support systems, food production, pharmaceuticals, radiation shielding, energy sources, materials, and other applications in space habitats. With the considerable and still unexplored potential of Earth's oceans that can be employed in developing space colonization, we allow ourselves to dream of the future where people can expand to other planets, not only surviving but prospering. Implementing the blend of marine and space sciences is a giant leap toward fulfilling man's age-long desire of conquering and colonizing space, making it the final frontier.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11595546PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/md22110481DOI Listing

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