Silkworms: Dual-Purpose Producers
These larvae offer two valuable resources: edible protein (30%) and strong, lightweight silk for Martian textiles. Each silkworm yields about 1g of silk and 2g of edible biomass. They require mulberry leaves grown in greenhouses, integrating well with plant production systems. Chinese space experiments have confirmed normal silk production in microgravity. The main research question remains: Will Mars’ lower gravity affect cocoon formation?