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Humans have high hopes for the moon, seeing it as a base for future space exploration and even a stepping stone to Mars. Now, an interesting new plan aims to use the moon to save endangered species. Scientists have proposed setting up a “biobank” on the moon to store frozen biological materials from different species.
The plan involves using liquid nitrogen to cryogenically freeze DNA, seeds, spores, and even cells or tissues. These frozen samples will then be transported to the moon by rocket and stored at the moon’s north and south poles, where temperatures range from -180 to -230 degrees Celsius. This extreme cold will preserve these materials until humans develop a way to revive the species.
With more than a million species currently at risk of extinction, this concept offers a potential solution for their conservation.
Why choose The moon is above the earth?
The extreme temperatures on the Moon make it an ideal place to store these specimens, without the need for artificial cooling systems, which would be prohibitively expensive on Earth. Once the specimens are on the Moon, there is no additional expense to maintain them.
In addition, the absence of natural disasters and human interference on the moon reduces the risk of ownership disputes, contamination and degradation. The thick lunar regolith can also protect samples from radiation.
This move is in line with the long-term Target Colonizing the Moon and further into space. The project will enhance cryopreservation techniques and improve our understanding of the effects of cosmic radiation on biological materials, aiding future space travel.
As part of this work, scientists have frozen samples of star goby fins. These samples are helping researchers determine the challenges of preserving life in the harsh conditions of space. Eventually, these frozen specimens will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to experience the extreme environment of space firsthand.
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