Following a welcome address by Gerd-Rüdiger Kück of unifreunde, Professor Kirsten Tracht, co-spokesperson for “The Martian Mindset” Cluster of Excellence, presented the interdisciplinary team’s innovative research approach in her keynote address.
Mars as an Experiment in Resource Scarcity
Researchers are adopting a “Martian mindset” to comprehensively rethink the production of materials and components. The extreme conditions and resource scarcity on the red planet serve as an experimental setting for developing a new sustainability paradigm that conserves energy and resources through innovative material extraction and processing methods.
Conditions on Mars are extreme: temperatures range from -150 to 30 degrees Celsius, there are no fossil fuels, and the atmosphere is thin and rich in CO2. These conditions provide the framework for the “Martian mindset” – a new sustainability paradigm – which requires a fundamental reevaluation of material extraction, processing, and component production.
In the long term, the cluster aims to contribute to sustainable space exploration. “Our goal is to radically rethink sustainability and apply this knowledge to both academia and practice,” emphasizes Professor Kirsten Tracht. “We want to collaborate with industry, while also working in partnership with daycare centers and schools to share knowledge and empower future generations to create a sustainable future.”
During the subsequent panel discussion, Dr. Henrike Müller, Bremen’s Senator for Environment, Climate, and Science, voiced her enthusiasm, saying, “I find the researchers’ plans very exciting.”
“It is impressive how many of the research approaches used on Mars can be applied on Earth as well.”
Dr. Rolf Janovsky, Director of Space Systems Studies at OHB-System, is also looking forward to the research results. “I hope that, in addition to fundamental research, there will be results that can be applied in industry in the long term.”
Clusters of Excellence Increase International Visibility
When asked by moderator Klaus Sondergeld about the significance of the Clusters of Excellence for the university, University President Jutta Günther emphasized that she was proud of the university’s two Clusters of Excellence, “The Martian Mindset” and “The Ocean Floor.” It’s great that we’ve succeeded in winning both clusters. This gives our university a big boost in terms of international visibility and attracting highly qualified researchers.”
These efforts will showcase the entire northwestern region, as the University of Bremen and the University of Oldenburg have submitted a joint proposal in the Excellence Strategy to become a University of Excellence Consortium. The two universities are developing a strategic plan for their ongoing development. “What our researchers are achieving here is tremendous,” says President Jutta Günther.
Further Information:
“The Martian Mindset” Cluster of Excellence: https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/the-martian-mindset
“The Ocean Floor” Cluster of Excellence: https://www.marum.de/en/The-Ocean-Floor.html