Nov 18, 2020 · Future Mars astronauts could grow crops in dirt to avoid solely relying on resupply missions, and to grow a greater amount and variety of food than with hydroponics alone (SN: 11/4/11). But...

Jun 6, 2013 · A tough plant “pioneer” that can grow in Martian soil. Like customizing a car, NASA-funded scientists are designing plants that can survive the harsh conditions on Mars. These plants could provide oxygen, fresh food, and even medicine to astronauts while living off their waste.

If humans are to stand a chance of successfully setting up a colony on Mars, we’re going to need to figure out a way of producing food on the Red Planet.

Aug 21, 2022 · Now a new study suggests a way forward: alfalfa plants. This forage crop would be capable of surviving in tough volcanic soil like that which covers Mars, researchers have determined, and could be then used as fertilizer to grow food like turnips, radishes and lettuce.

Feb 17, 2016 · An artist concept depicts a greenhouse on the surface of Mars. Plants are growing with the help of red, blue and green LED light bars and a hydroponic cultivation approach.

Oct 17, 2024 · Plants are grown and regrown in Mars simulants so that Palmer and his team can get a sense for how the regolith evolves simply from the growth process over time.

Nov 22, 2023 · A Texas undergrad is investigating how to grow vegetables on Mars — and has cultivated test samples of English peas in simulated Martian soil, with fertilizer from fly larvae.

Apr 24, 2017 · According to Dr. Ray Wheeler, lead scientist in Kennedy Advanced Life Support Research, the Prototype Lunar/Mars Greenhouse project will support ongoing research in space to grow vegetables for food and cultivating plants to sustain life support systems.

Jul 26, 2018 · If humans are to live on Mars they will need a stable supply of food. Earth plants are not suited to the Mars climate but we can engineer plants that are.

Fertilizing Mars. Research suggests Martian soil has some of the nutrients plants need to grow and survive (see “Plants’ Nutrients,” right). But because of Mars’s extremely cold conditions, plants such as Watney’s potatoes would need to grow inside a …