Fungus from Chernobyl could protect astronauts in space
Recommended for Middle Grades
We have earlier read about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. But how does the fungus from Chernobyl be of help to astronauts? Let’s find out.
Chernobyl, in Ukraine, was the site of the worst nuclear accident in world history. It occurred on 26 April 1986 but the area still remains dangerous.
However, over the years, the area has come to be occupied by forests and plants. It is also home to radiation-absorbing fungus (part of the mushroom family).
In a new study, scientists believe that such fungus from Chernobyl can be used to protect astronauts from harmful radiation in space.
The atmosphere on Earth protects us from harmful cosmic rays. However, outer space has no atmosphere. This means astronauts are exposed to several times more harmful radiation than on Earth, which is very dangerous.
So, astronauts need to have protective shields. But, these shields are made of steel and other materials which are not easy to transport to space.
So, researchers are proposing to instead use a radiation-absorbing fungus from Chernobyl and similar nuclear sites. The fungus is called Cladosporium sphaerospermum. It can also convert radioactive energy into chemical energy.
Earlier experiments have been conducted on the fungus on the ISS (International Space Station). It was found that the fungus was able to absorb harmful rays, even when it was only 2 mm thick.
So, in the future, the fungus could be used as protective shields or in spacesuits. The fungus will also not be difficult to carry into space and it can be even grown there.
It is assumed that fungus could be also used to protect future colonies on Mars.
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