DARPA is exploring the possibility of “growing” large structures in space using synthetic biology and living materials, potentially circumventing the limitations of traditional rocket-based delivery for space station components and other large-scale infrastructure. This innovative approach involves embedding microbes in biocompatible matrices to create flexible, self-assembling materials capable of withstanding the harsh space environment, drawing inspiration from extremophiles and various biomaterials like fungal filaments and hagfish slime. By engineering biological objects of unprecedented size in microgravity, DARPA envisions a future where structures such as antennas and debris-capturing nets can be manufactured directly in space, paving the way for more ambitious missions to Mars and beyond.

Editor’s Note: The initiative by DARPA to grow large biological structures in space could have profound impacts, both positive and negative. On the positive side, it offers a revolutionary approach to space exploration by enabling the construction of massive structures without the constraints of traditional rocket launches, potentially reducing costs and expanding the scope of space missions. This technology could also pave the way for sustainable in-space manufacturing, reducing reliance on Earth-based supplies and enhancing self-sufficiency in space. IF it works. But what if it doesn’t?

As Earth grapples with issues of hunger, resource scarcity, and waste, diverting significant resources to space-based projects raises ethical questions about where our priorities as a civilization, lie. Furthermore, the long-term environmental and ethical implications of introducing biological organisms into space remain unexplored. We do not know what its unintended consequences are, and it would be naive to think that nothing could go wrong.

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