Scientists Discover Resilient Desert Moss with Potential for Mars Colonies
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Researchers in China have identified a highly resilient desert moss species that could support potential colonies on Mars, according to a study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The moss, Syntrichia caninervis, found in China's Xinjiang region, demonstrated remarkable resilience when subjected to Mars-like conditions.
According to a research paper published in The Innovation journal last week, the moss can withstand extreme dryness, ultra-low temperatures, and radiation.
The study, released on July 1, stated that the moss could form the "basis for the establishment and maintenance of the ecosystem by contributing to oxygen production, carbon sequestration, and soil fertility."
"It can help drive the atmospheric, geological, and ecological processes required for other higher plants and animals while facilitating the creation of new habitable environments conducive to long-term human settlement," the paper added.
The research revealed that Syntrichia caninervis can recover photosynthetic and physiological activities within seconds after rehydration, even after losing more than 98% of its cellular water content.
The moss also showed tolerance to ultra-low temperatures, capable of regenerating after being stored at minus 80 degrees Celsius (minus 112 Fahrenheit) for five years or in liquid nitrogen for a month.
This resilient moss is found not only in Xinjiang and Tibet but also in a Californian desert, the Middle East, and polar regions.
The discovery comes amidst an intensified space race between China and the United States.
China plans to launch the near-Earth asteroid probe Tianwen-2 next year and the Tianwen-3 mission around 2030 to bring samples back from Mars.
Last month, China retrieved samples from the far side of the moon.
Meanwhile, NASA has developed a 20-year plan for Mars exploration, seeking to determine the planet's habitability for humans.
