ISHS Acta Horticulturae 642: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Horticulture, Art and Science for Life - The Colloquia Presentations
THE CASE FOR PLANTS ON MARS |
| Author: | C.P. McKay |
| Keywords: | Mars exploration, extraterrestrial life, controlled environments, plant-based ecosynthesis |
| 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. | |
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