ARTEMOSS (Antarctic Isolate 1 (ANT1) Radiation Tolerance Experiment with Moss in Orbit on the Space Station)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Agata Zupanska, University of Florida, Gainesville

Overview: This experiment will be a continuation of research already underway on Earth on Antarctic moss. The moss samples have already been exposed to solar radiation at the NASA Space Radiation Lab at Brookhaven National Lab in Upton, New York and a similar investigation will take place on the International Space Station testing how the moss recovers in different gravity environments.

A circle dish contains 13 green fuzzy moss plants that are circular and the size of marbles. On the right side of the photo, there is a square box with a red outline that contains another image of one of the circles zoomed in to show the grassy texture of the sample; it is mainly dark green and with a lighter green around the edges.

An example of moss plants grown for the ARTEMOSS mission

(Credit: NASA)

Science objectives:

To research the recovery process of Antarctic moss from radiation damage
To learn how cosmic radiation and microgravity simultaneously can alter the performance and make of the plants
To determine if the moss develops any tolerance to deep space conditions

Potential Earth applications:

To better understand how plants and biological systems can overcome severe conditions on Earth to still supply food and life necessities

Potential space applications:

To learn more about the potential for other biological systems to have a similar genetic response and physiological adaptation to harsh conditions in space
To create and develop for future missions new bioregenerative life support systems and environments for plants that can tolerate conditions in deep-space

Related resources:

Space Station Research Explorer Page

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NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Divisio n pioneers scientific discovery and enables exploration by using space environments to conduct investigations not possible on Earth. Studying biological and physical phenomenon under extreme conditions allows researchers to advance the fundamental scientific knowledge required to go farther and stay longer in space, while also benefitting life on Earth.