Chapter 1044: Mars Plant Research

A group of people quickly arrived at an underground facility.

How did Catherine and the others know it was underground? Because they weren't blindfolded and took the elevator down.

It was a huge underground structure, and after coming down they put on vacuum suits that resembled spacesuits.

After passing through two airlocks in succession, they arrived at their destination.

A vast space, barren inside, filled with sand.

Yang Qihang began to explain.

"This place simulates the Martian environment."

"They are researching whether plants can be directly cultivated in such an environment."

"Currently, there has been no successful case."

Yang Qihang continued walking, pointing at a building in the center.

"That is our main research project, the Mars Farm."

"We are trying to create an air composition and environment inside the building suitable for plant survival."

"Let's see if we can cultivate edible plants."

"If feasible, we will gradually approach Martian air composition for experiments."

"Until, inside this room, under Martian air, a natural ecological balance can form."

"Plants can grow autonomously."

"Finally, after completing data collection, we will research a complete feasible plan."

"This is the ideal approach."

"If we cannot research it, we will try pressurizing to make the farm's air density approach that of Earth."

"This is the least desirable situation."

"Our ultimate goal is to construct the Mars Farm under normal Martian atmospheric pressure."

"Rather than using a pressure chamber."

"That would slow our steps toward Mars."

No wonder they had to wear pressure suits; it turns out this space is sealed.

The air density is only one percent of Lanxing's.

Direct exposure to such pressure would endanger their lives.

Yang Qihang was still there, talking incessantly.

Catherine was already feeling a bit terrified.

Reading the description and experiencing it firsthand are completely different feelings.

Thinking about the low pressure here, she felt a creepy sensation.

It seemed as if danger lurked everywhere, and she felt great mental pressure.

"Boss Yang, the Mars Farm project seems different from the Desert Farm."

Yang Qihang pointed to the planting cabin for her.

Looking from the outside glass inward, the Mars Farm appears very similar to the Three-Dimensional Farm.

Except that the Mars Farm seems to have denser planting.

Except that the plants' survival condition inside seems not very good.

They probably are not adapting.

"These are various experimental plants."

"We are selecting which plants can grow normally under Martian atmospheric pressure."

"If we can find one, it would be a huge success for us."

"If we have such a plant, we can extract its DNA and then cultivate a Mars plant suitable for survival on Mars."

"This is a crucial step for the Mars Farm."

"Only if all Lanxing plants cannot survive under normal Martian pressure will we consider pressurization."

"For plant survival under Lanxing pressure, we have already conducted many experiments on the space station; for us, a pressurized farm would be much simpler."

Those who followed in, listening to Yang Qihang's words, kept excitedly looking into the cabin.

They never expected that following Catherine's live broadcast once would give them a chance to see such a scene.

Mars Farm?

Such a lofty, mysterious, unknown thing is not something they could see.

To see it today is a great fortune across three lifetimes.

Catherine also slowly walked out of the tense pressure.

Likewise curious, they began to survey the ecological farm cabin before them.

"Do you have any discoveries?"

Yang Qihang shook his head.

"None."

"This cannot be discovered overnight; it requires long-term experimentation."

"Alright, now you should understand why we came to the desert to build a farm. The Desert Farm's technology can be directly transferred to the Mars Farm, and if the Mars Farm makes technological progress, it can also directly monetize the Desert Farm."

"After all, plants that can survive in the Mars Farm will surely grow well in the Desert Farm."

"Even before we develop the Mars Plant, the various intermediate species produced in the research, if we find something good, can naturally greatly boost the Desert Farm's profitability."

"These are two projects that promote each other."

Catherine was surprised.

You mean genetically modified?

Is this safe?

Yang Qihang did not directly affirm.

Anything will have its good side, and also will have its good side.

Naturally there will be genetically modified organisms beneficial to humans, and also there will be genetically modified organisms beneficial to humans.

What we are looking for is food that can meet the normal needs of Mars immigrants; naturally we should use beneficial variants as much as possible.

Many of the current genetically modified organisms are mostly for pest resistance, disease resistance, etc.

Such genetically modified organisms mainly achieve their purpose by secreting harmful substances.

Like lodging resistance, these are mainly used to enhance plant toughness; naturally the possibility of harm is very low.

The main direction of Mars plant research is plants that can grow normally under low pressure and in Mars' atmosphere.

What is changed is the ability to survive under low pressure and the ability to survive in the Mars environment.

Perhaps, not only harmless, it could also enhance the survival ability of Mars immigrants.

Mars plants are likely to provide substances that can survive in low pressure and in Mars' atmosphere to the human body.

Perhaps, through the modification of Mars plants, we can get rid of pressure suits.

Yang Qihang's words are wildly imaginative.

Catherine roughly understood Yang Qihang's meaning.

Using modified plants, to a certain extent, we can modify humans.

This is a new topic.

Perhaps we can actually research something impressive.

Catherine's thoughts wandered.

In that case, are Mars immigrants still the same kind of people as us?

Will it cause a split in humanity?

In that case, it is likely to cause a huge conflict.

You also mentioned the base vehicle matter,

If we really research the Mother of Machines, then the technological development gap between other planets and Lanxing will shrink infinitely.

With sufficient material support for Mars immigrants, will they develop different ideas?

Isn't this very dangerous?

Yang Qihang was stunned for a moment.

Because this problem truly exists.

Because the distance is too far, back in the later Age of Exploration, Yingjiang came to be this way.

It is inevitable that a Fire Jiang, a Gold Jiang, and a Water Jiang will appear again.

Especially when the Lanxing people and Mars immigrants show obvious physical differences.

Such divergence will expand infinitely.

That's a matter for the future; let future generations worry about it.

Moreover, with the development of Artificial Intelligence, humanity is no longer unique.

Perhaps Artificial Intelligence will become our binding agent.