Start with a little volcanic ash, add a dash of vermiculite and some coffee grounds, and what you end up with is not just a reasonable facsimile of Martian soil, but also the perfect environment for the cultivation of hops. While on its own, Martian soil’s density and aridness make it inhospitable to most crops, the addition of a few crew ingredients can change barren earth into the perfect host for potatoes, herbs and, apparently, the types of grains that make beer possible. Soil analysis reveals hops could thrive on Mars, opening the door for a truly out-of-this-world brew. That’s the discovery presented by a group of students from Villanova University to a recent meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Washington D.C. Working with astronomy and astrophysicist Professor Edward F. Guinan, 25 budding Martian farmers initiated a series of experiments to see which types of crops might thrive on the red planet. While most of the participants chose practical plants, like soybeans and kale, on group decided to see if the essential ingredient for beer might also be viable. “Because they’re students,” Dr. Guinan said of the decision, it makes sense they’d lean toward ‘Martian beer.’” A Handful of Mars The Martian agricultural experiment began as a way for Guinan and his class to explore how a typical Martian colony could sustain its residents. Though real Martian soil isn’t actually available, The Martian Garden sells a unique blend of crushed basalt from the Mojave Desert based on NASA and JPL research to produce soil “as close as you can get to Mars without leaving Earth.” While the soil is available for purchase, beginning with the MMS-1 Mojave Mars Simulant at $5 a pound, students, researchers and “space enthusiasts” can receive a free sample...

In the film The Martian, stranded astronaut Mark Watney reflects on the unique experience of living on Mars. “It’s a strange feeling,” he admits in his video journal. “Everywhere I go, I’m the first. Step outside the rover? First guy ever to be there! Climb a hill? First guy to climb that hills….First, first, first! “Every day, I go outside and look at the vast horizon,” he later tells his crewmates. “Just because I can.” The dream of sending explorers, and prospective settlers, to the red planet has captivated us for generations. While getting there is half the battle – taking at least a year in space one way – once our future Martians arrive, they will need sturdy, safe and sustainable lodging. What will real estate on Mars look like? As part of the effort to think seriously about Mars settlement, NASA recently hosted the 3-D Printed Habitat and Design Competition. Chosen from over 150 submissions, 30 teams presented conceptual designs for 3-D printed Martian habitats. The winning proposal, Mars Ice House, is a triangular, translucent home constructed of 3-D printed ice that will protect inhabitants from the planet’s radiation while also harnessing natural light and excess oxygen to enable plant cultivation. “Large windows allow views of the Martian landscape,” promises a promotional video, “giving crew members opportunities to contemplate and reflect, ensuring long-term psychological well-being.” Talk about an out-of-this-world view! The design looks like a modern igloo in a beehive shape, with rounded walls that will contribute to a feeling of spaciousness. An excellent concept when the planet’s unfriendly environment will require settlers to be inside unless they wear protective spacesuits providing oxygen. Tasked with creating interplanetary habitats based on “local indigenous materials,” the judges ranked the final designs based on habitability,...