Fungi in Space: How Mycelium Could Protect Astronauts from Space Radiation

Susan Wise: Welcome to Stars Launch Pod: Space Technology and Research Sciences, brought to you by StarSciences.org, where we connect, collaborate, and accelerate. I’m your host, Susan Wise, and joining us this time is Eszter Gulacsi — astronautical architect and also known as the Mushroom Girl. I cannot wait to dive into that and exactly what it means. Eszter , welcome to the show.

Eszter Gulacsi: Hi. Hi, Susan. It’s nice to be here.

Susan Wise: So tell me more about what it means to be an astronautical architect, and also about this Mushroom Girl — Cosmic Mushroom Girl. What does that mean?

Eszter Gulacsi: “Astronautical architect” basically comes from space architecture. If you try to Google space architecture, a lot of companies come up because “space” can mean volume — like square space or interior space — not necessarily outer space or deep space.

So I wanted to change that, because “astronautical architect” clearly shows that I’m focused on deep space and on human life beyond Earth. I was hoping that if it wasn’t called space architect, it would be clearer what my aim and goal are.

Fungi came in as a solution for space radiation protection because I heard at the International Space University during lectures — many times — that space radiation is still one of the biggest challenges for human space exploration. I started to look into that because, as architects, aren’t we supposed to try to find solutions for impossible problems?

So I began researching, and in 2021 I had an “aha” or breakthrough moment: I realized fungi could be a solution for space radiation. I was reading about the history of fungi — how many species there are and how they evolved on Earth. It turns out they are almost one billion years old. Back then, radiation levels were much higher and the atmosphere was much thinner.

So I thought fungi could be a good potential solution for radiation protection because they were thriving in those high-radiation environments.

Susan Wise: Now, do you use mushrooms or fungi for radiation experiments, or are they specifically used for protection?

Eszter Gulacsi: All of the above.

I think that’s why everyone calls me the Mushroom Girl — it’s like falling down a rabbit hole. Like Alice, you start looking into mushrooms, then you start taking medicinal mushrooms, growing them, and inoculating them. I had a small DIY lab at home where I could inoculate Petri dishes and agar plates.

I also grew mycelium spheres. Just a second — I’ll show it. It’s right here. So I grew a mycelium sphere. It actually looks like the Death Star.

Susan Wise: It does! I was just going to say that.

Eszter Gulacsi: Exactly — but it’s not a death star, it’s mycelium. I grew it for an experiment that will hopefully continue in the future.

Susan Wise: Have you had success with your experiments?

Eszter Gulacsi: Yes. I made other examples as well. I made this at the European Space Agency while I was there as a trainee because I wanted to create flexible radiation protection — a radiation shield.

Susan Wise: Is this for suits or for capsules?

Eszter Gulacsi: Mainly, I thought it would be great for Sierra Space’s LIFE habitat because it could be the outer layer. I used BACTRON fabric, and what they use for the LIFE habitat is extremely UV-sensitive, so it would require shielding anyway.

My goal was to find something that could be added as an additional layer. But yes, it could also hopefully be used in the future for space suits — anything flexible.

I created other types as well. I have two patents — one for this — and I went to the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory in New York to carry out experiments on these samples. It was such a fun ten days. I learned so much.

The staff there are amazing — nuclear physicists and particle physicists with great people skills. They were able to explain everything and were very helpful and knowledgeable.

The experiment was pretty successful in my opinion because it showed potential. I wrote a paper with a particle physicist and a microbiologist who works in France. So it was an international collaboration — someone from NASA, someone from France, and me in Italy.

We published the paper last September after a very interesting peer review. Usually peer reviews are hard and can feel harsh, but I found it really helpful. Even if some comments can be tough because they’re anonymous, they can be very constructive and ultimately make the paper much better.

Susan Wise: Would you say this is what you’re currently working on to help further the space industry, or do you have other things on your plate?

Eszter Gulacsi: I am still pushing radiation protection as an ongoing effort. I recently finished a paper in a series on radiation protection for the Earth and space conference, which will be in April in Texas.

I’m also writing a chapter for an upcoming AIAA book on space radiation protection. That’s my current work. Meanwhile, I’m growing another mycelium sphere and will create a protection layer for it. That will take time, and then hopefully I can take it to another experiment — maybe not NSRL, but somewhere else.

Susan Wise: Now, I know you’re focused on using this material in space, but could it also be applicable here on Earth?

Eszter Gulacsi: Probably not — unless you were working under an ozone hole or in an environment with extremely high radiation. This is mainly for galactic cosmic rays, not ordinary solar radiation.

Susan Wise: What has been one of your biggest challenges on this journey, and how did you overcome it?

Eszter Gulacsi: My biggest challenge was getting radiation beam time at NSRL because I’m European and they naturally favor American researchers. Also, I don’t consider myself a scientist — I’m an architect.

Susan Wise: I think you’re a scientist.

Eszter Gulacsi: Thank you. I was very lucky because one of my mentors from the International Space University, Dr. Radames Cordero from Johns Hopkins, also has a company called MelaTech. They wanted to go to NSRL, so we teamed up. That allowed me to carry out my experiment.

Another bigger challenge is getting radiation shielding widely adopted — having it everywhere it’s needed. That will require time, research, development, and patience. Companies like Blue Origin, Sierra Space, Axiom, Airbus, Voyager, Starlab — it’s a long list. It takes time for them to realize they need it sooner rather than later.

Susan Wise: Right — especially since we’re planning missions to Mars.

Eszter Gulacsi: Exactly. We will need proper shielding for spacecraft traveling to Mars because it won’t be a three-day trip like going to the Moon. Right now, there isn’t a complete solution for safely transporting astronauts that far.

Susan Wise: Do you have any advice you’d like to share with listeners?

Eszter Gulacsi: Just keep going. If you face challenges, break them into manageable steps and don’t give up. Try to collaborate and find supportive women — or anyone — around the world. With the internet, you can connect with like-minded people anywhere.

Mentors can help you, but also look for women who need help — you can support them too.

Susan Wise: That’s great advice. Let’s talk about a passion project — past or present. What’s yours?

Eszter Gulacsi: Using fungi for space radiation is definitely one. Right now it’s passion-driven. But recently I’ve also returned to creative work like drawing. I started a Redbubble shop where people can order shirts, mugs, and stickers with my drawings.

I draw silly “astro fungi” — mushrooms that travel in space wearing suits, repairing satellites, visiting spacecraft, and taking selfies. Just fun illustrations.

I’ve also returned to pottery — making mugs and little sea-life creatures. I even made a mug with Astro Fungi, though it’s not glazed yet.

Susan Wise: It can’t be all work and no play. It’s great you make time for creativity. Speaking of balance — what is your support system like?

Eszter Gulacsi: Family is very important. We stick together. I have an encouraging father and had a very supportive mother. I also have cousins, brothers, and many friends who believe in me more than I sometimes believe in myself.

That helps a lot because many people — especially women — struggle with imposter syndrome. It’s good to have friends who remind you that you can do whatever you set your mind to.

Susan Wise: I think your work is incredibly valuable and crucial for the future of the space industry. I’m very grateful you joined us today, and I’d love to have you back to hear about your future successes.

Eszter Gulacsi: I agree — safe human exploration will require radiation shielding. I hope next time we talk, I can share many new successes and projects.

Susan Wise: Thank you so much for joining us.

Eszter Gulacsi: Thank you, Susan.

Susan Wise: Be sure to join us where we connect, collaborate, and accelerate. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe. Until next time — keep looking up.