BioMoon: A Concept For A Mission To Advance Space Life Sciences And Astrobiology On The Moon
As humans advance their presence in space and seek to improve the quality of life on Earth, a variety of science questions in support of these two objectives can be answered using the Moon.
In this paper, we present a concept for an integrated mission focused on answering fundamental and applied biological questions on the Moon: BioMoon.
The mission was designed to investigate the effects of the lunar radiation, gravity, and regolith on biological systems ranging from biomolecules to systems with complex trophic interactions, spanning a range of model organisms. Using common analytical systems and data processing, BioMoon represents a systems-level integrated life sciences mission.
It would provide fundamental insights into biological responses to the lunar environment, as well as applied knowledge for In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU), closed-loop life support system development, planetary protection and human health care. The mission was conceived to test biotechnology and sensor technology for lunar and terrestrial application and provide education and outreach opportunities.
BioMoon notional overview. A. BioMoon CDF study logo. B. Conceptual overview of main units conceived prior to CDF. C. Main elements of EL3 spacecraft showing payload location (see text for dimensions) — Earth, Moon, and Planets
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The Dormant Experimental Suite (PES_DES) is based on the successful ESA EXPOSE facility, shown here outside the International Space Station (ISS), and other passive exposure payloads. (Size: 65 × 46 cm2, height 15 cm). The samples can be seen within circular enclosures covered by filters and/or protective transparent covers — Earth, Moon, and Planets
The ESA ArtEMIS bioreactor design, which is considered a baseline design for the bioreactors described for the Bioreactors payload (AES_BIO) and the Active Experiments Suite—Basic trophic models. LED, light-emitting diode; OMU cuvette (monitoring unit for cell density and photosynthesis) [43] — Earth, Moon, and Planets
Earth, Moon, and Planets ( IF 0.7 Submission Guide >) Pub Date: 2024-10-28 , DOI:10.1007/s11038-024-09558-4
Charles S. Cockell, David A. Green, Nicol Caplin, Jessica Grenouilleau, Francesca E. McDonald, Marco Calvaruso, Daniela Billi, David C. Cullen, Matthew P. Davey, Veronica De Micco, Andreas Elsaesser, Timothy Etheridge, Christine Gläßer, Christine E. Hellweg, Crina S. Ilea, Antoine Lecocq, Natalie Leys, Javier Martin-Torres, Miracle Nazarious, Claudia Pacelli, Cyrille Przybyla, Elke Rabbow, Kate Robson Brown, Alvaro Soria-Salinas, Nathaniel Szewczyk, Walter Tinganelli, Erin M. Tranfield, Jean-Pierre de Vera, Cyprien Verseux
BioMoon: a concept for a mission to advance space life sciences and astrobiology on the Moon, Springer Nature (open access)
Astrobiology
