NASA is exploring the potential of using mushrooms to build habitable structures for future lunar and Martian colonies.

The agency awarded a $2 million contract to a research group at NASA’s Ames Research Center to develop “mycotecture,” which involves growing building materials from fungi.

This approach is cost-effective compared to launching traditional construction materials into space, as it allows for the mixing of fungal spores with local lunar resources like water and regolith to create bricks.

Research indicates that these mushroom-based blocks can effectively shield against space radiation, provide insulation from extreme temperatures, and can be produced rapidly within one to two months.

The initial construction process would involve landing a special package on the Moon containing household essentials and inflating it to allow the growth of a hard exterior shell made from the fungi.

While early experiments on Earth have shown promise, there are concerns about the performance of these structures in space, Futurism has reported.

The research team, led by NASA Ames senior scientist Lynn Rothschild, plans to send a concept model into space as part of the upcoming 2028 launch of the commercial space station Starlab.

If successful, this innovative method could lead to the rapid establishment of lunar and Martian colonies.

Written by B.C. Begley