So you know those mutant strains of radiotrophic fungus they discovered in Chernobyl? The ones that feed on gamma radiation? Those fungi, the radiation-eating fungi? From Chernobyl? They brought some on board the International Space Station and took some measurements. Here is the paper, titled:
A Self-Replicating Radiation-Shield for Human Deep-Space Exploration: Radiotrophic Fungi can Attenuate Ionizing Radiation aboard the International Space Station
Space is full of high-energy radiation, and radiation shielding is a big engineering challenge for Martian habitats and deep-space missions. What they figured out is that an 8-inch thick layer of mutant Chernobyl radiation-eating fungus in the walls of the spacecraft or habitat would serve as a self-replicating, self-sustaining radiation shield for long-haul missions.
This sounds like such a good and normal idea! Let’s do it!
MUSHROOM SHIELD
