Biomimicry and Synthetic Biology in Space Travel
I recently contributed concept images to the University of Copenhagen Synthetic Biology Department .That type of research is fascinating and gets my creative mind wondering. In this case into space. I always try to see design through the lens of Biomimicry. Space technology seems to be dark on this matter. Space is hard on the body, extra terrestrial landscapes are devoid of the raw materials humans use to metabolize. Normal solutions isolate and insulate the body against these forces providing an artificial environment to survive and providing stored resources shuttled from earth. If one of the great contributions of 21st century science is biotechnology and a master of genomics what does that mean for our existence in space and beyond. I looked to the butterfly as an inspiration for my exploration. The butterfly goes through a lengthy process of metamorphosis to enact change in its physical character for a different stage of its life. What if people could use synthetic biology to metamorphose into a body that could survive in martian climates? What if the long journey is spent going through the biological change instead of laying dormant in cryogenic sleep?In visual searches for my collage to illustrate this concept I consistently found Chrysalis under the protection of understory leaves. It made me realize the synergy between Solar Collection of Understory Leaves and how that efficient structure harnesses light so well in low light areas, maybe some of the concepts could be applied to the design of Giant Solar Sail craft to ferry pioneers to distant planets and through deep space. Perhaps at the end of the journey the craft could facilitate biological production of complex substances needed in the new frontier. (via Biomimicry and Synthetic Biology in Space Travel | Bios Design Collective)