Scientists' new Moon mission: Earth's natural satellite could become a 'life bank' for endangered species.

(Representative Image: Canva)

The Moon, Earth's only natural satellite, has long been a symbol of hope and human curiosity. As a silent witness to our dreams and ambitions, it has inspired countless missions and continues to play a pivotal role in our quest for knowledge and survival. Beyond its allure as a beacon in the night sky, the Moon now offers a new frontier for preserving life on Earth. With over 1 million species, including the Bengal tiger and the bumblebee, at risk of extinction, the pace of species loss is now tens to hundreds of times faster than the historical average. The alarming rate of species extinction on Earth has prompted scientists to explore extraordinary solutions beyond our planet.

The Moon as a Lifeline: A Lunar Biorepository Proposal

In response to the global biodiversity crisis, scientists are proposing a radical idea creating a "biorepository" on the moon. This plan involves cryogenically freezing biological materials such as DNA, seeds, spores, and possibly cells or tissues from various Earth species. These materials would be transported via rocket to the moon’s north and south poles, where the extremely low temperatures, ranging from minus 180 to minus 230 degrees Celsius, would help preserve them. This lunar repository could serve as a safeguard for Earth's biodiversity, offering the potential to regenerate species or restore ecosystems in the future.

Why the Moon and Not Earth?

• Storing biological material on the moon is seen as increasingly viable due to its natural cryogenic conditions, which reduce the need for costly artificial cooling systems.
• A July 2024 study in BioScience supports the idea, highlighting that stepping beyond Earth's atmosphere is crucial for the long-term survival of our species and the planet’s biodiversity.
• The moon offers a stable environment, free from Earth’s political and environmental disruptions, providing a secure location for the repository. The lunar surface, with its thick layers of regolith, offers protection from cosmic radiation, ensuring the long-term preservation of stored materials.

Turning Vision into Reality: Testing and Collaboration

The journey to establish a lunar biorepository has already begun. Scientists have started by freezing fin samples from the starry goby, a small fish that, while seemingly insignificant, plays a crucial role in understanding how to preserve life in space. These initial experiments, conducted in high-tech labs on Earth, are preparing scientists for the challenges of space preservation. Soon, cryopreserved cells will be sent to the International Space Station to test their resilience in space conditions, providing a preview of what will be needed for lunar storage.

This initiative is not the work of a single nation but a global effort that requires collaboration across borders. The lunar biorepository is a call to action for scientists worldwide to contribute to safeguarding our planet’s biological heritage. As we take these initial steps, we are not only working to save species but also expanding our understanding of life’s resilience and adaptability, setting the stage for future discoveries beyond Earth.

Turning Vision into Reality: Testing and Collaboration

The journey to establish a lunar biorepository has already begun. Scientists have started by freezing fin samples from the starry goby, a small fish that, while seemingly insignificant, plays a crucial role in understanding how to preserve life in space. These initial experiments, conducted in high-tech labs on Earth, are preparing scientists for the challenges of space preservation. Soon, cryopreserved cells will be sent to the International Space Station to test their resilience in space conditions, providing a preview of what will be needed for lunar storage.

This initiative is not the work of a single nation but a global effort that requires collaboration across borders. The lunar biorepository is a call to action for scientists worldwide to contribute to safeguarding our planet’s biological heritage. As we take these initial steps, we are not only working to save species but also expanding our understanding of life’s resilience and adaptability, setting the stage for future discoveries beyond Earth.