Chernobyl mushroom absorbs radiation: NASA wants to protect astronauts with it.

According to ТСН: At the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, a 'black fungus' has been found that survives by consuming radiation. This discovery could change the space industry, as scientists believe that its unique properties could protect astronauts and colonies on other planets from cosmic radiation.

Discovery of black fungi

Mycologist Nelly Zhdanova discovered black mold growing in the radioactive ruins of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant back in 1997. It appeared on walls, ceilings, and inside the reactor. Further studies showed that these fungi particularly interact with ionizing radiation.

Research prospects

This discovery proved that living organisms can not only survive but also thrive in radiation conditions, questioning traditional notions of resilience limits. It also opens new possibilities for practical applications — from decontaminating polluted areas to creating protection for astronauts.

It is known that ionizing radiation, which usually harms cells and DNA, has become an energy source for these fungi. Melanin — a pigment that protects organisms from ultraviolet light and has the ability to absorb radiation — plays a significant role in this process.

Research on radiation influence

A 2007 study found that melanized fungi, under the influence of radioactive cesium, grew 10% faster, confirming the use of radiation as an energy source. This process has been named radiosynthesis.

'The energy of ionizing radiation is about a million times higher than the energy of white light used in photosynthesis. Therefore, you need a sufficiently powerful energy converter, and this is what we believe melanin can do — convert ionizing radiation into useful energy,' said nuclear scientist Ekaterina Dadachova.

Future opportunities

NASA astrobiologist Lynn Rothschild predicts that 'microarchitectures' — living modules made from fungal materials grown on the Moon or Mars — could be developed. Such 'living' walls could not only serve as a structure but also protect against radiation, automatically repairing themselves. This could significantly reduce the cost of space missions. Perhaps the fungi that have adapted to Chernobyl will ensure the safety of astronauts in the future.

Interesting facts from Chernobyl

Volunteers working near the Chernobyl zone have recorded dogs with unusually blue-tinged fur. Although the animals appear active and healthy, experts do not consider this unusual. The likely reason is contact with industrial remnants like copper sulfate or reagents from abandoned bio-toilets.

The discovery of the black fungus at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant highlights how resilient organisms can be in extreme conditions. This could have a significant impact on space research and technologies for protecting people from hazardous conditions that may exist on other planets. Continuing research in this area could open new horizons for using natural resources in space engineering.