Each marsonavtu - on the bouquet from NASA. The test for the survival of ordinary plants on Mars

As you know, conditions on Mars are not the most favorable, even for microorganisms. Nevertheless, by 2030, NASA expects to send people to the Red Planet. Now, preparations are underway for this event, including the study of Mars from orbit, from Earth, and directly from the surface of the planet, with the help of rovers.

Over the past decades of studying Mars, a huge amount of data has been obtained. Nevertheless, it is not known for certain how a living organism will feel, even being protected by the artificial atmosphere of the dome.
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So, by 2021, NASA scientists expect to send live plants to Mars, Arabidopsis .

Of course, no one expects that the plants will be planted in open ground, they simply will not survive. Plants will be placed in a protective capsule with an artificial atmosphere, but - without protection from radiation. That's just the radiation that bothers scientists the most, and its effect will be checked on the first living cosmonauts - plants.



Curiosity second generation will go to Mars with the "green colonists" on board. Or rather, not plants will go to Mars, but their seeds, which in Arabidopsis germinate rather quickly. The seeds will be in a special container, CubeSat, which will be attached to the body of the rover.


Fantasy artist - like this, Spirit or Opportunity will help the Marsonauts plant gardens on Mars.

Experts believe that in 15 days it will be clear whether plants are feeling well on Mars, with reduced gravity and an increased radiation background, or not.

This whole interesting project was called Mars Plant Experiment (MPX).

Via Space.com