NASA May Grow Potatoes on Mars Just Like Mark Watney in 'The Martian'

First Posted: Dec 22, 2015 09:08 AM EST
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In The Martian, Mark Watney ends up growing potatoes on Mars in order to survive long enough to be rescued. But is it actually possible to grow potatoes on the Red Planet? That's what NASA scientists are determined to find out as they begin an experiment to grow potatoes in Mars-like conditions.

With that said, the goal of this new experiment isn't just to learn whether or not it's possible to farm potatoes on another planet. It's also meant to show that it's possible to farm even in the harshest conditions here on Earth.

"How better to learn about climate change than by growing crops on a planet that died two billion years ago?" said Joel Ranck, CIP Head of Communications, in an interview with Phys.org. "We need people to understand that if we can grow potatoes in extreme conditions like those on Mars, we can save lives on Earth."

The researchers hope to replicate Martian atmospheric conditions in a lab, using soil from Peru's Pampas de La Joy desert, which is almost identical to that found on the Red Planet, according to CNBC.

"The increased levels of carbon dioxide will benefit the crop, whose yield is two to four times that of a regular grain crop under normal Earth conditions," explained CIP in a recent press release. "The Martian atmosphere is near 95 percent carbon dioxide."

The new findings should tell scientists a bit more about whether or not growing potatoes is possible. This could make a colony on Mars feasible, and may also give researchers techniques for farming areas with harsh conditions here on Earth.

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