Articles
THE CASE FOR PLANTS ON MARS
Article number
642_20
Pages
187 – 192
Language
English
Abstract
The human exploration of Mars will be motivated by the scientific exploration of that planet in order to determine if it supported life in the past and could support a biosphere in the future.
Humans will not go to Mars alone but in concert with other life forms from Earth.
Plants in particular will be key resources for human explorers and plant-based ecosystems may be established on Mars robotically before humans arrive.
An essential near-term step is the testing of a plant growth module on a Mars lander mission.
In the long-term, plant-based ecosystems may form the basis for global ecosynthesis on Mars.
Humans will not go to Mars alone but in concert with other life forms from Earth.
Plants in particular will be key resources for human explorers and plant-based ecosystems may be established on Mars robotically before humans arrive.
An essential near-term step is the testing of a plant growth module on a Mars lander mission.
In the long-term, plant-based ecosystems may form the basis for global ecosynthesis on Mars.
Authors
C.P. McKay
Keywords
Mars exploration, extraterrestrial life, controlled environments, plant-based ecosynthesis
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