A previous step to the colonization of Mars is to try to recreate the desert conditions of the red planet, with dust storms that last several days, at different points on Earth. In Argentina, the Solar 54 project will try to find answers about habitability in an environment considered extremely hostile to man.
The intention is to establish a set of geodesic domes, space technology laboratories and food production systems in the “Los Colorados” Provincial Reserve, department of Independencia, simulating the conditions and farming methods that could be used on future manned missions to Mars.
These habitats will consist of a modular system that provides rapid expansion and environmentally friendly construction. In turn, it will have integrated laboratories for the development and exploration of space technology. The productive project will be located in an initial territory of 5 hectares.
The co-founder of Solar 54 and member of the board of directors of the missionary company FanIOT, Martin Goodassured that “it is the most innovative project that Argentina has today at the aerospace level” and that it could not be carried out without “the support of the governments”.
Los Colorados Provincial Reserve, in La Rioja, represents, according to international scientific publications, one of the most Mars-like places on Earth. The project has as background other places in the world where these simulations are being carried out, with scientific objectives.
“These are modules that can be moved with high-performance technology and that enable university teachers, students and researchers to be able to develop different activities in an area that is a challenge but that we are prepared to carry out,” said Tania Rogel of the National University of La Rioja (UNLaR).
The complex will comprise six areas: a general laboratory for experimentation of life conditions on Mars, a hydroponic farm to provide food and produce oil, a recreation area; another with rooms, central access and dining room and a space for satellite tests.
Simulation of Argentine geodetic modules.
Both in Europe and in the United States, studies were carried out that showed that by making bricks with soil from Mars, solid structures were created that can be used as supports.
“With soil from Mars, scientists from NASA have managed to generate high-resistance ceramic structures with heat and organic chemical components,” Bueno specified.
Solar54: space power
The modules that will be built in the province of La Rioja.
This project will enable for the first time the installation of an Argentine Pavilion within the Satellite 2022the most important event for opinion leaders on space and satellites in the world, which has been held in the United States for 15 years.
Among the leaders of the event are the directors of world leaders in the field such as Space X, Virgin Galactic and the main engineers of NASA.
“Our goal is to present this disruptive project and all the potential it has to offer to players in the international satellite industry. Each international agency in each country can have its own dome within our structure,” said Ayelen Ebene, project leader.
This initiative has the backing of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Commission for Space Activities, among other Argentine organizations.
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