Local production of All Necessary Materials for Habitation on Extraterrestrial Environment - Utilization of Wood for Habitation on Mars.

In the study of space agriculture in closed ecosystems, there are three main elements; microorganisms, plants and trees. Trees have several special properties which can be utilized in our environment for food, energy or materials. We have been submitting a proposal about research on woody plants grown under the assumed extraterrestrial environments, like on Mars. Here, we present research related to preparation of structures. Two kinds of regolith can be used as core materials and mixed with woody components. There are several valid ways to utilize woody plants. In this paper, we show the way to prepare the structure of a part of lignin as a first step before the considering growing trees on Mars. Mars has acidic regolith. Lignosulfonate is often used in architecture, civil engineering and construction. The mixture of a kind of regolith and lignosulfonate was strong and hard. We indicated that elements of woody materials, such as lignosulfonates, will be able to be used for hard structures on Mars. Woody materials including the necessary tools in the space craft during trips to Mars from Earth would be able to be used in the next materials. A field of study related to “local production of all necessary materials” will be important for habitation on Mars. This paper is our proposal for research using woody materials.