It’s an interesting thought, but according to the article, it’s not even clear that the fungus is absorbing radiation or befitting from radiation. Actual photosynthesis-via-radiation hasn’t been demonstrated; it might simply be taking advantage of the absence of other species due to high radiation, or the radiation is triggering a stress response.
Beyond that, I’m not sure this fungus would have a better protection-per-ton rating than, say, water (which is an astoundingly good radiation shield). But, it might point us towards ways of developing plants which are radiation-tolerant, theoretically opening a path to growing food in orbital or lunar-surface environments.
I wonder if theres a possibility to line a spaceship haul with this stuff to protect from cosmic radiation.
It’s an interesting thought, but according to the article, it’s not even clear that the fungus is absorbing radiation or befitting from radiation. Actual photosynthesis-via-radiation hasn’t been demonstrated; it might simply be taking advantage of the absence of other species due to high radiation, or the radiation is triggering a stress response.
Beyond that, I’m not sure this fungus would have a better protection-per-ton rating than, say, water (which is an astoundingly good radiation shield). But, it might point us towards ways of developing plants which are radiation-tolerant, theoretically opening a path to growing food in orbital or lunar-surface environments.
Now I’m imagining ‘Moon Melons, Moon Mangos and Moon Mangetout”
This is mentioned in the article!
That sounds like a bad idea