It sounds like this could be an approach for vehicles used in long duration manned space flight - modules filled with moss layers as radiation shielding, which can be regenerated simply by taking them back inside for a while; can possibly be combined in usage as CO2 scrubbers. That way the fixated carbon becomes a useful ressource in protecting the crew. Anyone knows if something like that has been tried or considered yet?
this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2025
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This was spores, not moss. Actual layers of moss would be far too heavy, and would take far too much moss to be useful either as shielding or as scrubbers.
Never even read science fiction that supposes this, but it strikes me as brilliant. Moss is always juicy, plenty of water to block rads. I don't think being frozen changes that? Also, it could be used as an ablative material to shrug off or attenuate micro damage from dust and the like.
Sure, they're using spores, not live moss, but seems like we could work something out of this? Right?!
Go write a brilliant sci-fy novel on this OP. I'll back you in saying it was your idea first!
Itll come down to weight really. Water is one of many ways I've heard too protect against radiation, and like your say moss holds a lot of it. That said it sure would be interesting to see how it works in practice!
Fujita thinks the protective, spongy casing surrounding the spores may help defend against UV light and dehydration.
According to this article, they're just speculating at this point why spores survived. Next step could be to confirm why spores survived. If that's a form of shielding, then run tests to check if a layer a spore would be a more effective shield than existing matetials. If it is, look for a practical way to use it.