Toward sustainable space exploration: a roadmap for harnessing the power of microorganisms

Rosa Santomartino (), Nils J. H. Averesch, Marufa Bhuiyan, Charles S. Cockell, Jesse Colangelo, Yosephine Gumulya, Benjamin Lehner, Ivanna Lopez-Ayala, Sean McMahon, Anurup Mohanty, Sergio R. Santa Maria, Camilla Urbaniak, Rik Volger, Jiseon Yang and Luis Zea ()
Additional contact information
Rosa Santomartino: University of Edinburgh
Nils J. H. Averesch: Stanford University
Marufa Bhuiyan: Everest Innovation Lab
Charles S. Cockell: University of Edinburgh
Jesse Colangelo: Cemvita Factory
Yosephine Gumulya: Queensland University of Technology
Benjamin Lehner: DMEC
Ivanna Lopez-Ayala: Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
Sean McMahon: University of Edinburgh
Anurup Mohanty: Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
Sergio R. Santa Maria: NASA Ames Research Center
Camilla Urbaniak: California Institute of Technology
Rik Volger: Delft University of Technology
Jiseon Yang: Arizona State University
Luis Zea: University of Colorado Boulder

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Finding sustainable approaches to achieve independence from terrestrial resources is of pivotal importance for the future of space exploration. This is relevant not only to establish viable space exploration beyond low Earth–orbit, but also for ethical considerations associated with the generation of space waste and the preservation of extra-terrestrial environments. Here we propose and highlight a series of microbial biotechnologies uniquely suited to establish sustainable processes for in situ resource utilization and loop-closure. Microbial biotechnologies research and development for space sustainability will be translatable to Earth applications, tackling terrestrial environmental issues, thereby supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37070-2

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