One of the primary concerns with space travel is the risk of high frequency radiation exposure to astronauts. Currently, thick plastic (the same kind used to make milk jugs) coats the inside of space crafts to protect their inhabitants throughout their journey. It's been effective, however it is extremely costly since most spacecrafts cost several thousand dollars per pound of weight. Thus, a more economic option has been long sought.
In 1986, the meltdown of a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl became historically known as the "Chernobyl Disaster." Lethal levels of radiation infested a large area around the nuclear reactor, exposing hundreds of people to radiation that would cause life-threatening problems, and forcing thousands out of their homes. Chernobyl has since been abandoned due to high levels of radiation persisting in the area. While this radiation can be deadly to humans, it has brought about unusual genetic mutations and evolutionary adaptations in several species that inhabit the area. From fish that have grown unusually large, to mammals with more than one head, many unusual creatures have been found within the radiation radius of Chernobyl. One of these bizarre species is an organism that just might be our solution to radiation protection for space travel.
It is common knowledge for most that plants convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Fungi tend to do the same thing. This is largely done in the visible spectrum of light. In Chernobyl, however, a fungus was discovered that can photosynthesize ionic radiation into chemical energy, using it in the same way that regular plants use sunlight. Simply put, a fungus was discovered that can photosynthesize the same high frequency radiation that would be lethal to an astronaut. Fungus would of course be of significantly lighter weight than thick plastic, and would require minimal amounts of water to maintain on a spacecraft. In addition, the oxygen output of the fungi could potentially mean more money saved. The fungi would thrive on the high level radiation while protecting the astronauts from exposure, would be cheaper than the current method of protection, and would contribute oxygen to the environment. This discovery is very promising for space travel, and if it is eventually implemented after further study it would bring about cheaper space travel, and therefore hopefully more frequent extra-planetary endeavors.
Graham K. Shunk, Xavier R. Gomez, Nils J. H. Averesch
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.16.205534
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