Taters on Mars!

Discussion in 'Techforge' started by Tuckerfan, Mar 10, 2017.

  1. Tuckerfan

    Tuckerfan BMF

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    Ayup. It looks like you could grow them in Martian soil.
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  2. Steal Your Face

    Steal Your Face Anti-Federalist

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    Now they just need Vicodin and ketchup.
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  3. Bickendan

    Bickendan Custom Title Administrator Faceless Mook Writer

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    :polarslam2:
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  4. Amaris

    Amaris Guest

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    Potatoes. Is there nothing they can't do? :wub:
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  5. Tuckerfan

    Tuckerfan BMF

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    And didja notice they're growing them in a simulated Martian atmosphere? They weren't stuck in simulated Martian soil in an Earth-like atmosphere, but a Martian one! That offers real possibilities, I think.
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  6. oldfella1962

    oldfella1962 the only real finish line

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    I for one welcome our potato overlords!

    potato.jpg
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  7. Dinner

    Dinner 2012 & 2014 Master Prognosticator

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    I don't see them growing in a low pressure atmosphere.
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  8. Amaris

    Amaris Guest

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    http://cipotato.org/press-room/blog/indicators-show-potatoes-can-grow-mars/
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  9. Dinner

    Dinner 2012 & 2014 Master Prognosticator

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    I simply doubt that is true as the article said the pressure on Mars is 0.6% of standard. They may lower pressure some what but not 99.4%.
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  10. Amaris

    Amaris Guest

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    You're doubting that the NASA's agricultural research center partner CIP managed to create an atmospheric pressure 0.6% of Earth's mean sea level pressure? Did you know you can create your own vacuum experiment at home, right? You can have roughly 0 pascals of air pressure right in your own living room.
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  11. Dinner

    Dinner 2012 & 2014 Master Prognosticator

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    I am sure they lowered the pressure but I am fairly confident that the plants could not survive at 0.6% the atmospheric pressure. Especially since it involves almost no oxygen (mostly CO2). You can make sugar with CO2 but you need O2 to burn that sugar for biological activity. Just think back to biology 101 if you ever took it.

    Hell, the plant's cell walls would rupture at such low pressures.
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  12. Amaris

    Amaris Guest

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    They're simulating the martian environment, and they're finding signs of success. These aren't lightweights, these are agricultural experts who have the backing of NASA.
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  13. Dinner

    Dinner 2012 & 2014 Master Prognosticator

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    Also at pressures so low liquid water would be a problem at most temperatures. Remember temperature pressure curves from physics?
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  14. Amaris

    Amaris Guest

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    Not clearly, as high school was some 18 years ago, but I'm sure the people at NASA are familiar with it.
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