Scientists plan lunar ark to save Earth's biodiversity

Scientists are planning to build a lunar ark on the Moon to preserve Earth’s biodiversity by storing cryogenically preserved animal samples. This initiative aims to safeguard endangered species and support future terraforming efforts. Biodiversity on Earth is plunging due to climate change and exploitation, prompting fears of a sixth mass extinction. Current cryogenic storage facilities on Earth are vulnerable to human and natural threats. A Moon-based vault, leveraging its naturally stable cold temperatures at the south pole, offers a low-maintenance solution. This ambitious project requires international collaboration for funding, hardware development, and sample transportation to protect them from radiation and microgravity effects.

The primary purpose of the lunar ark project is to safeguard Earth’s biodiversity by storing cryogenically preserved samples of animals, and potentially plants, to protect them from extinction and support future efforts to terraform other planets.

The concept of a lunar ark draws on the ancient idea of Noah's Ark, repurposed for modern space-age technology. The Moon's stable conditions provide a unique advantage over Earth’s vulnerable facilities. While initially focused on endangered species, the lunar ark aspires to become a repository for a wide array of Earth’s life forms, preserving them for future generations and possibly aiding in extraterrestrial colonization efforts.