BioMoon: a concept for a mission to advance space life sciences and astrobiology on the Moon

Abstract 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. Although BioMoon was considered in the context of the European Space Agency’s Argonaut (European Large Logistics Lander) concept, the mission design provides a template for any integrated life sciences experimental suite on the Moon and other celestial bodies, implemented either robotically or by human explorers.

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Publication Details

Journal
Discover Space.
Published
2024-10-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11038-024-09558-4
Citations
8
Primary Topic
Spaceflight effects on biology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.61

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article

BioMoon: a concept for a mission to advance space life sciences and astrobiology on the Moon

Jean‐Pierre de Vera, Elke Rabbow, Nicol Caplin, Charles S. Cockell et al.
8 citations
Discover Space.
Spaceflight effects on biology
2.61
article

BioMoon: a concept for a mission to advance space life sciences and astrobiology on the Moon

Jean‐Pierre de Vera, Elke Rabbow, Nicol Caplin, Charles S. Cockell, Cornelia Gläßer, Francesca McDonald, Andreas Elsaesser, Daniela Billi, Claudia Pacelli, Matthew P. Davey, Timothy Etheridge, Erin M. Tranfield, Cyrille Przybyla, Álvaro Soria-Salinas, Miracle Israel Nazarious, Marco Calvaruso, Javier Martín‐Torres, David C. Cullen, Veronica De Micco, Nathaniel J. Szewczyk, Walter Tinganelli, Antoine Lecocq, Cyprien Verseux, Christine E. Hellweg, David A. Green, Kenneth R. Brown, J. C. Grenouilleau, Natalie Leys, Crina S. Ilea
article en
8 citations

Abstract

Abstract 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. Although BioMoon was considered in the context of the European Space Agency’s Argonaut (European Large Logistics Lander) concept, the mission design provides a template for any integrated life sciences experimental suite on the Moon and other celestial bodies, implemented either robotically or by human explorers.

Discover Space.Vol. 128(1)
University College Dublin (IE), University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT), University of Copenhagen (DK), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), European Space Operations Centre (DE), Ifremer (FR), GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research (DE), University of Bremen (DE), King's College London (GB), University of Aberdeen (GB), Université de Montpellier (FR), University of Exeter (GB), Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (IT), European Space Agency (FR), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) (DE), University of Bristol (GB), Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IT), Ohio University (US), Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (BE), VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research (BE), Marine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation (FR), King's College Hospital (GB), National Research Council (IT), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR), European Space Research and Technology Centre (NL), University College London (GB), Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (PT), University of Naples Federico II (IT), Freie Universität Berlin (DE), Cranfield University (GB), Scottish Association For Marine Science (GB), University of Edinburgh (GB)
Sight Research UK, China Scholarship Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Science and Technology Facilities Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Spaceflight effects on biology
2.61
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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