From Moon to Mars participant Malachai Uys

Malachai Uys joined From Moon to Mars to explore agriculture in extreme environments. With a background in agricultural business management, he was inspired by the opportunity to learn from experts.

Before taking the "From Moon to Mars" course, I faced challenges rooted in genuine curiosity about agricultural practices in extreme environments. The course offered a unique opportunity to explore different perspectives from a diverse group of experts, including MSc and PhD holders from ESA and analogue astronauts. My favourite aspect was participating in analogue missions, which simulated conditions for growing crops in extreme environments, such as inside a volcano.

The insights gained from the course significantly influenced my career in agricultural business management. I shared my excitement with my department, leading to experiments on growing African cultivars in Martian regolith. This exploration revealed that certain species might thrive better than conventional crops like tomatoes in harsh Martian conditions, potentially enhancing astronauts’ diets.

Now, I am collaborating with soil scientists and planning further experiments, aiming to expand our understanding of what crops can sustain human life on Mars. The course not only broadened my perspective but also inspired me to branch into new avenues of research and collaboration.