Mars simulation station Habitat Marte launches pioneering research on soil development analogous to Mars

The research station Habitat Marte presents as one of its most innovative projects for the second semester of 2019, the development of soil analogous to Mars.

The research will involve researchers from different areas of UFRN, UnB, EMPARN, UFERSA and IFRN. Investigations have already been developed by Weiger Wamelink at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands.

Something that favors Habitat Marte in the development of research of soil formulation analogous to Mars is to be located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, an area with great variety of minerals.

For research on simulation of the soil of Mars, one of the components is the volcanic soil. It is interesting to note that this ingredient is in great availability near the research station Habitat Marte, due to its proximity (40 km) of extinct volcano Cabugi Peak, with volcanic soil about 25 km away.

Another strategic advantage for the operation of the Habitat Marte research station in the state of Rio Grande do Norte is the existence of some educational institutions with research in the area of  geology that are constituted as important partners: 1 - Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte - UFRN, 2 - Agricultural Research Company - EMPARN; 3 - Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte - IFRN and 4 - Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid - UFERSA. These institutions have laboratory infrastructure in the area of soil and rock analysis, institutions that the coordination of Habitat Mars has a good relationship.

The development of soil analogous to Mars will be strategic for the cultivation of some types of plants, in order to simulate the conditions found on Mars. The research seeks to present subsidies for the sustainability of future habitats on Mars, an important step for human expansion in the universe.

The research is coordinated by Professor Julio Francisco Dantas de Rezende, manager of Habitat Marte, professor at UFRN and director of innovation at FAPERN. More information on the next steps in the development of soil analogous to Mars can be found at www.HabitatMarte.com.