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dr.ir.ing. GWW (Wieger) Wamelink

dr.ir.ing. GWW (Wieger) Wamelink

Ecologist, exobiologist and author

Biography

Biography

Can we grow plants on Mars and the Moon?

We investigate if it is possible to grow crops on Mars and moon soil simulants delivered by NASA. When people will got to Mars and go back to the moon it will most likely be for a longer period or even for ever. One of the necessities for such a ‘colony’ is the supply of sufficient and healthy food. One of the options is to grow your own food using the soil and water (ice) that is present.

Since 2013 we are experimenting with the soils and a range of crops, including tomato, potato, green beans, peas and rocket (rucola). We were able to grow crops on both the Mars and moon soil simulant. After testing the vegetables and fruits proofed to be safe to eat, no large quantities of heavy metals, present in the soils, were found.

This research received the science award of the children’s program ‘Het Klokhuis’ in 2016.

Overview of the Mars Moon plant growth experiment

https://www.facebook.com/Food.for.Mars.and.moon/

https://weblog.wur.nl/ruimtelandbouw/author/wamel002/

Ancillary activities - dr.ir.ing. GWW (Wieger) Wamelink

Ancillary activities
  • diverse (1-1-2016/31-12-2099)
    De inkomsten uit de lezingen, voor sterrenwachten bijvoorbeeld, gaan naar de crowdfunding voor het project
  • diverse (30-11-2017/31-12-2099)
    Ik maak veel fotos die ook worden gebruikt voor WEnR raporten enz. maar ook door de media. Soms krijg ik daarvoor betaald, bvb National Geographic magazine. Het geld gaat naar de crowdfunding acties voor Food For Mars and Moon
  • Lira fonds (20-6-2025/31-12-2099)
    Schrijven van wetenschappelijk populaire boeken
  • ruimtevaart gerelateerde industrie en verenigingen (20-6-2025/31-12-2099)
    Als zzper werk ik aan B.A.S.E. de opvolger van Food For Mars and Moon. Het gaat om het geven van lezingen en de verkoop van merchandise. De opbrengesten vloeien terug naar het project B.A.S.E.
About

Personal information

Address

Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB, WAGENINGEN

Postal address

Postbus/POBox 47, 6700AA, WAGENINGEN

Building

Gaia, 101, B318

Telephone

+31317485917

Secretary

+31317481878

Mobile

+31614325893

Expertise

Climate change, Ecology, Environmental management, Landscape ecology, Environmental governance, Plant ecology, Dispersion, Abiotic conditions, Nature conservation, Plant dispersal, Simulation models, Soil plant relationships, Invasive alien species

Subdivision

Biodiversity and Policy

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