Microbes for Space Mining
Microbes could be used to mine rare earth elements in space environments
Into the great beyond
From time to time, a few of us gaze at the stars and wonder about the worlds out there that are waiting to be explored. Might there be alien worlds or moons where we could live?
As our telescopes and satellites improve, we are discovering more and more exoplanets. Some of those planets appear to tantalizingly fall within parameters that could sustain (human) life. Aka the Goldilocks zone. Some planets could even be ‘superhabitable’.
There are a couple of problems, however. The stars — and their planets — are very far away. Far enough to ensure that for humans to reach them would require multi-generation spaceships (or a thorough revision of the known laws of physics).
Our frail human bodies are also not made for the void. In a previous article, we discussed the potential of CRISPR to gene-edit the human body so that it would be slightly more suited to space travel or for settling on another planet. For example, through preventing osteoporosis and stimulating muscle growth on lower gravity planets.
Another issue concerns resources. Unless we find a planet/moon that has everything we need to build a successful colony…
