DARPA Wants to Build Giant Space Structures Using Living Organisms – The Debrief

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) wants space structures that are grown rather than built, and the building blocks for these new structures are living organisms. In a recent Request for Information (RFI) on large bio-mechanical space structures, DARPA’s initiative seeks to develop structures that can reach lengths of over 500 meters, including “tethers for space elevators, grid-nets for orbital debris remediation, and kilometer-scale interferometers for radio science applications.” These structures, if successful, would not only reduce the need for launching heavy materials from Earth but also provide a sustainable and adaptable approach to space construction.While all this sounds super cool, DARPA goes all out by requesting that these giant space structures be built with biological materials like “fungal mycelia” or protein-based fibers from “hagfish slime.” These materials can be integrated with mechanical components to achieve structural rigidity, much like a tent where the biological growth acts as the cover supported by underlying structural poles. For instance, a space elevator tether could be grown using a combination of fungal hyphae and mechanical fibers, allowing it to stretch from geostationary orbit to low Earth orbit while maintaining the necessary strength and durability.DARPA’s imagination is unfortunately tempered by some challenges. Maintaining biological processes in the harsh space environment is crucial, requiring careful control of factors like temperature, pressure, and humidity. However, it is no secret that there are several lifeforms on Earth and even some growing on the exterior of the International Space Station that can survive the intensity of ‘space living.’ Using them, or at least aspects of their genetics, to bolster these biological building materials may alleviate the issues of growing in space.Moreover, the growth of these structures must also be directional and controlled, ensuring they achieve the desired shape and functionality. The last thing anyone needs is a fungal space elevator that should look like an Enoki but goes full Portobello. Organic systems tend to grow in ways that press for efficient survival, and they tend to move and grow towards that which feeds them. DARPA is seeking insights into how feedstock can be provided to the growing edge of these structures, whether through aerobic or anaerobic means, and how to estimate the mass and volume ratios between traditional and biological materials.This RFI is part of DARPA’s broader efforts to push the boundaries of space technology. The agency has a history of exploring groundbreaking and often unconventional ideas related to space. For example, DARPA is involved in the Blackjack program, which aims to develop low Earth orbit satellite constellations, and the Novel Orbital and Moon Manufacturing, Materials, and Mass-efficient Design (NOM4D) program. Additionally, DARPA is collaborating with NASA on the DRACO program to develop nuclear thermal propulsion technology for future Mars missions.The potential impact of bio-mechanical structures on space exploration is significant. By leveraging biological systems, space missions could benefit from reduced launch costs and increased adaptability. Structures grown in space could self-repair and adapt to changing conditions, offering a sustainable solution for long-term space presence. This approach could also enable the creation of structures that are currently impossible to launch from Earth due to size constraints.Whether DARPA can successfully turn science fiction into science fact here seems like nothing short of a miracle, but it points to an interesting cosmic idea; can humans utilize life and biology to build a sustainable presence in space? In other words, will Mother Nature provide the tools and resources for our species’ next step into a new frontier?

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 A workshop is planned for April 2025 to discuss responses and assess new technical insights for this RFI. This gathering will bring together experts from various fields to explore the feasibility of large bio-mechanical structures in space and will provide a platform for presenting innovative solutions and discussing future research directions. Details can be found here. MJ Banias covers security and technology with The Debrief. You can email him at mj@thedebrief.org or follow him on Twitter @mjbanias.

Source: https://thedebrief.org/darpa-wants-to-build-giant-space-structures-using-living-organisms/