14 DAY TRIAL // Dr. Michael Mautner from Virginia, US, is quite convinced that it is only a matter of time until people figure out a way to colonize other planets, and he is determined to help make sure that this will happen sooner rather than later.
To this end, Dr. Michael Mautner is now trying to grow vegetables such as asparagus and potatoes in what he likes to call meteorite soil, Daily Mail informs.
This odd soil is made up of meteorite powder that the scientists obtained by grinding actual space rocks. It is rich in nitrates and phosphate, and even contains some water.
Dr. Michael Mautner explains that, should his experiments prove successful, this would mean that, rather than carrying it with them, people colonizing other planets would be able to grow their own food.
Given the fact that transporting just 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of food into outer space presently costs about $23,000 (€16,976), chances are that would-be space explorers would much prefer having their own garden on Mars.
Besides, Dr. Michael Mautner argues that efforts should be made to establish gardens in outer space and thus put less strain on our planet. More so given the fact that the world's population had considerably increased in recent years.
The only problem is that, regardless of the soil in which they will be planted, fruit and vegetables that might one day be grown in space will face way harsher conditions than on Earth. Hence, nitrates, phosphates, and water aside, chances are they will not survive, let alone thrive.