Introduction
Company Description
Cornell iGEM is a research based synthetic biology project team based on microorganisms engineering for a variety of worldly problems. Established in 2009, Cornell iGEM has sinced developed ten projects that have achieved a Gold Medal classification at the iGEM Grand Jamboree competition. Many of these projects have also received recognition for their impact, both in terms of scientific advancement and community impact. This year, the team is excited to embark on the next venture, this time to the stars. Cornell iGEM proudly presents PRoSPER, a novel system focused on removing perchlorates from Martian soil, known as regolith, improving quality for long term space colonization. Through an advanced co-culture system of E. Coli and Synechococcus and an Adaption Reaction Chamber bioreactor our team is focused on creating an easily integratable method of not only removing toxic perchlorates, but recycling and enriching the regolith with nutrients for future use. We are committed to building a sustainable, ethical and technologically sound project that not only is accessible, but also innovative and good for the world (whether that be on Earth or Mars.) With PRoSPER, we do just that.
Problem Description
Mars regolith is rich with perchlorates, serving as a key barrier to long term sustainable colonization. Perchlorates are toxic, and actively prevent key biological processes in plant growth such as nutrient uptake. Additionally, they are detrimental to human health, causing thyroid deficiencies and hormone inbalances. To think about long term Mars colonization, it is impossible to avoid the problem of the high concentrations of perchlorates in regolith. However, current methods of perchlorate removal are high maintenance, high energy, and environmentally damaging. Our strategy involves careful consideration of resource availibility in space, while providing a ready-to-use platform that is scalable with low overall capital expenditures.
Market Analysis
Space Colonization Market - Market Analysis and Sizing
The space economy is large and expanding, evolving from a government-dominated sector into a more dynamic commercial ecosystem from advances in technology, lowering costs and opening new opportunities. According to the Space Foundation The Space Report 2025 Q2, the global space economy has reached $613 billion in 2024, with the commercial sector accounting for 78% and government budgets accounting for the remaining 22%. Within the US, the U.S. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released new and updated U.S. space economy statistics over a ten-year period, from 2012 to 2023, providing estimates of U.S. space economy GDP and gross output. Notably in 2023, the space economy made up $142.5 billion or 0.5 percent of the U.S. GDP and real GDP grew by 0.6%, underscoring the sector’s macroeconomic impact. Space also accounted for $240.9 billion gross output and a $57.9 billion payroll in the private sector supported 373,000 workers, suggesting a robust and growing economic base. Furthermore, according to a report on project space growth by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company, the global space economy is projected to increase to $1.8 trillion by 2035, averaging a 9% annual growth. The increase in the market is driven by improvements in technology, specifically in communications and satellite, as well as lowering costs. PRoSPER is positioned within this space ecosystem constituting space biosciences, In-Situ Resource Utilization, and planetary infrastructure which aims to provide a low-cost and sustainable method of supporting agriculture on mars.
As the space economy expands, economists have revisited space as a potential tool to counteract secular stagnation and commercial potentials. Developments in the lunar economy provide important context for PRoSPER. NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program is a critical component of NASA’s Artemis initiative in establishing long-term presence on the Moon. CLPS has established contracts worth $2.6 billion through 2028, allowing and incentivizing companies to deliver payloads to the Moon. Companies will bid on delivering, integrating, and operating payloads to advance exploration and commercial development. Collectively, missions driven by CLPS demonstrate the standards for commercial payloads and regulatory processes that opens up further potentials in Martian economy and colonization.
Building on the Artemis program, NASA aims to reach mars as the ultimate long-term goal, with aims of sending humans in 2030s. To support long-term habitation and exploration, key players and companies as well as governments have contributed to market growth in life-support systems, resource-utilization technologies, and transportation to sustain settlers. As reported by A Business Research Company, the Mars colonization market is valued at $11.42 billion in 2024, and projected to grow to $13.04 billion in 2025 and $21.94 billion by 2029. Key drivers of this growth are tied to the push in market and intensified interest in space tourism as well as venture capital investments backing space tech companies. Major corporations in 2025 leading Mars Colonization include Boeing, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman Corp, and SpaceX. Commercial opportunities on Mars support the possibility of Mars colonization and growth of potential industries. For instance, industries surrounding space tourism, resource extraction and mining, habitat and infrastructure manufacturing. Specifically, Mars hosts water ice and regolith rich in iron and earth elements. The possibility of water for life support will create increases in demand for infrastructure, thereby driving the potential of attracting space tourism and possible insertions like PRoSPER in space agriculture and in-situ resource utilization to support the expansion of Mars colonization market.
- Total Addressable Market (TAM): $143 Billion USD (CAGR: 9%)
- Serviceable Available Market (SAM): $11.42 Billion USD
- Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM): $250 million USD
Besides targeting future Martian colonization, PRoSPER’s growth can also be driven by the fast growing perchlorate bioremediation market. Perchlorates are essential components found in rocket fuel/explosives, industrial components, and cleaning solvents. Across the United States, legacy contamination is present in over 12,000 active and abandoned industrial and defense related sites. As perchlorates are exceedingly soluble and mobile in water, they have found their way into our food crops, drinking water and even breast milk. This dangerous toxin eventually accumulates in the thyroid, causing iodine deficiency/hypothyroidism, developmental issues in children and chronic metabolic disorder. Consistent prolonged exposure poses a serious public health risk.
Over 11 million Americans across 40 states and territories are currently exposed to perchlorates at a concentration of at least 4ug/L (1). In 2007, the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies recommended and the EPA adopted a Reference Dose (RfD) of 0.7 µg/kg/day approximately would be equivalent to an exposure to 24ug/L. It was later withdrawn, due to further studies on the physiological effects of perchlorates on especially vulnerable populations. In 2009, 2011 and 2020, the EPA consistently declined to establish a national level Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) for perchlorates. In 2023, under court orders from US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the EPA was ordered to establish a MCL for perchlorate by November 21, 2025 and finalize it by May 21, 2027 (2). The introduction of a national MCL will transform perchlorate remediation from a niche market centered on state compliance and military sites into a nationwide industry with broad participation from municipalities, utilities, and private responsible parties.
The perchlorate remediation market can be segmented into 3 primary categories: municipal drinking water systems, federal defense and related sites, and superfund and municipal funded sites.
Municipal Drinking Water Systems
According to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule set by the EPA, out of 34,728 samples taken 647 samples contained perchlorates, correlating with 160 sites out of 3,870 monitored sites (See Figure Below).

Figure 1: Perchlorate contamination across the United States according to the American Water Works Association Report in 2013
In this data, the 90th percentile of all measured data was used to calculate the site average perchlorate contamination. Based on this data, it is possible to extrapolate the number of sites and severity of contamination at these sites in the United States with statistics. (Due to the limited number of small Public Water Sites (PWS), the true underlying trend of perchlorates may be different from what is calculated and shown). It is estimated that there are a total of about 148,000 PWS in the US. Depending on the MCL, the number of PWS that require mediation is yet to be determined. If it is set to 2ug/L over 3.5% of all PWS (5180 sites) in the US would be required to remediate; However, if it is set to 24 ug/L as little as 0.3% of all PWS (444 sites) in the US would be required to remediate.

Figure 2: Perchlorate contamination in small Public Water Sites across the United States according to the American Water Works Association Report in 2013
The costs of remediation also vary depending on the presence of other contaminants, remediation methods (in-situ vs ex-situ), flow rate of the groundwater, and many other factors. The costs of remediation can be broken down into 2 different types: Capital and Variable. Capital costs include but are not limited to include the power, labor, resin purchase and disposal, water testing, reports/compliance, permits/renewals, materials and supplies (non-resin), repairs/replacement, contractor labor, engineering/legal costs, insurance, and taxes. In one case example, the California Domestic Water Company remediated a flow rate system of 5,000 gallons per minute (GPM) reported spending 2.8 million USD in 2008 or about 4.8 million USD in 2025 when adjusted for inflation. The variable cost of remediation is more variable, heavily depending on the presence of other contaminants that may interfere with the traditional RO or Ion exchange systems. This sets the average variable cost to around 0.30 to 0.80 USD per 1000 gallons. In this case, the reported variable cost was around 0.28 USD per 1000 gallons. The total cost of compliance for an MCL of 4 µg/L is estimated to be $2.1 billion dollars ($0.85 billion in capital and $1.28 billion total NPV in operating costs) based on the 90th percentile perchlorate concentrations and operation of the systems for 20 years at a 3% discount rate. In comparison, the estimated compliance cost for an MCL of 24 µg/L is much lower at approximately $0.1 billion. The relatively high variable costs are expected to be greatly reduced with utilization of the PRoSPER system as PRoSPER does not rely on generalized ion exchanged resin but rather specific targeting of perchlorate ions, so it will not be impacted by the presence of other contaminants.


Figure 3: Cost Estimates in PWS using single ion exchange in 2008 dollars according to the American Water Works Association Report in 2013
Defense/Aviation/Aerospace Sites
Sites related to defense, aviation and aerospace remain and will continue to be one of the largest contributors to perchlorate contamination in the US due to almost a century of rocket, missiles, and munitions manufacturing and testing, Currently 53 Department of Defense (DoD) sites have contamination levels of over 15 ug/L, mandating remediation interventions according to the DoD's own rules. Examples include: Edwards AFB and Aerojet (CA), Redstone Arsenal (AL), Longhorn AAP (TX), and various missile test ranges. NASA and DOE have a handful of sites as well (e.g. Jet Propulsion Lab in CA, Los Alamos in NM). However, the majority of these sites contamination is characterized by the development of large groundwater "plumes" with incredibly high perchlorate contamination concentrations that start out at the site and spread out, diluting themselves across several square miles around the site, requiring biobarriers to be built. The Department of Defense has allocated over 423.942 million for environmental related expenses in base closure and maintenance in the 2025 Fiscal Year. In one case example, the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant spent approximately 1.5 million USD in 2004 (2.6 million USD adjusted for inflation in 2025) to remediate its ground water. Currently, estimated spending in this segment to be around 150 million USD per year with continued strong growth expected as efforts are made by the US government to reindustrialize and remilitarize in the current geopolitical climate. This federal segment often overlaps with Superfund as many DoD sites are also on the NPL, but it is categorized separately due to dedicated DoD funding streams.
Superfund/Municipal Funded Sites
Besides contamination in PWS and near defense/aerospace sites, there are contaminated sites due to legacy industry facilities or waste dump sites. There are currently 49 superfund sites that have significant amounts of perchlorate contamination. These sites, once designated by the EPA, are mandated to be remediated and unlock special funding access. Superfunds, in the fiscal year 2023, were given an additional 1.44 billion USD for remediation efforts. Other sites with legacy contamination are funded by private companies' settlements. One instance is the Nevada Henderson Site operated by Kerr McGee in which the US Department of Justice settled for a one time payment of 1.11 billion USD to clean up that site. The estimated annual spending is around ~$10M/year and growing as remedies move forward. Notably, the first full-scale fluidized bed bioreactor (advanced biological treatment) for perchlorate was implemented at a Superfund site in California (Rialto-Colton Basin) to treat a high-concentration plume; it was a public-private effort with >$20M in grants and treats up to 2,000 gpm for drinking water supply use. Some states have enforced perchlorate cleanup at additional sites. This includes smaller-scale incidents like improper disposal by fireworks manufacturers, ordnance plants. The market here is fragmented and smaller, often involving localized in situ bioremediation projects. The spending in this category is harder to quantify but likely contributes a few million per year in consulting, drilling, and treatment services.
Market Sizing and Penetration Strategy
- The Total Addressable Market (TAM) of the US perchlorate remediation market is 3 Billion USD (CAGR: 6%).
- The Serviceable Available Market (SAM) is around 200 million USD.
- The Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) is around 25 million USD.
The key focus on our market penetration is targeting smaller PWS as an entry point in the remediation market because they are highly regulated, population-facing, and often operate under tight capital budgets. Current technologies to remediate perchlorates rely on in-situ or ex-situ remediation. In ex-situ remediation, contaminated groundwater is pumped out and run through a Reverse Osmosis filter or a Ionic Exchange filter. This method concentrates the contaminants to about 20% of the filtered water that would be carted out and disposed of. Resulting in expensive disposal, expensive maintenance to prevent biofouling and not actual destruction of the contaminations. In-situ remediation, requires the building of biobarriers to prevent the spread of contaminants and injection of a material to neutralize the contaminants within the environment including but not limited to bacteria, physical chemical reduction and electrochemical reduction. This methodology results in high upfront costs and is limited by geographic factors.
Many small- and mid-sized systems face compliance pressures but lack the resources to take advantage of large economies of filtration and remediation efforts. This creates an opening for our PRoSPER small, modular bioreactor platform. Compared to traditional ion exchange, modular bioreactors offer lower start-up costs by reducing the need for large vessels, costly resin inventories, and brine disposal infrastructure. The modular bioreactors offer a solution to projects that traditionally require a combination of pump-and-treat containment and source removal addressing specific groundwater plumes with perchlorates spreading out across several square miles. With PRoSPER bioreactors can be installed one or two skids initially at the site and scale up by adding more modules as demand grows or the area around the site. This incremental approach aligns better with small- to medium-sized PWS capital cycles and financing structures.
While large metropolitan CWSs may still prefer ion exchange due to existing vendor relationships and proven performance, small PWSs (often in rural or semi-urban areas) represent a high volume of potential installations. Modular bioreactors turn perchlorate treatment into a distributed, service-based market, with recurring revenue from nutrient dosing, monitoring, and O&M support. By highlighting these advantages, companies offering modular bioreactor solutions can carve out a competitive niche in the Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM). Specifically, they can position themselves to capture smaller PWSs and early adopters who prioritize affordability and regulatory certainty over legacy technology. There are around 67,000 "small" PWS in the US, applying our statistics there could be up to 2,345 PWS sites for us to initially target. This strategy could secure a meaningful share of the projected $25–65M/year obtainable market in the next decade.
- The Total Addressable Market (TAM) of the US perchlorate remediation market is 3 Billion USD (CAGR: 6%).
- The Serviceable Available Market (SAM) is around 200 million USD.
- The Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) is around 25 million USD.
A major risk factor in the development of the perchlorate bioremediation remains the yet to be released mandated MCL of perchlorates. It is expected that it could be set as low as 2 ug/L or as high as 24 ug/L, broadening or narrowing the market respectively. Majority of public water systems have relatively low amounts of perchlorate that would represent a potential loss in clientele if the perchlorate MCL dictates remediation is not needed for the majority of PWS.

Figure 4: Market Sizing Estimations of the potential US and Space Remediation Markets
PESTEL Analysis
This is a macro analysis that takes into consideration the competitive environment PRoSPER is positioned in. A PESTEL analysis identifies threats and opportunities within a political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal context.
Political
INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORKS AND SPACE GOVERNANCE
After ample conversation with stakeholders, we learned about the international frameworks that inform space exploration. We learned from key interviews with Dr. Henry Herzfield and Dr. Brian Green that major agencies including NASA (US), CSA (Canada), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and Roscosmos (Russia) set the standards for safety and planetary protection. Likewise, the Artemis Accords which contains 55 signatories reflects the international commitment for cooperative and transparent exploration. This highlights broad international interest in sustained Moon and Mars programs. Space governance is increasingly shaped by UN's Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and their initiatives that showcase joint efforts to maintain international standards for planetary protection policy in regards to scientific integrity and protection from back-contamination. PRoSPER will have to balance multiple stakeholders for integration into future Mars missions.
BUDGET AND FEDERAL/MULTINATIONAL AGENCY PRIORITIES
Space funding aligns with the periods of expansion and constriction and administration shifts can change priorities and rebalance portfolios. While the current administration has proposed an increase for Mars exploration, NASA faced a large budget cut, specifically a reduction of 24% for FY2026. For PROSPER, reliance on national interest can be both an opportunity and vulnerability. Agencies such as NASA have demonstrated interest in Mars exploration and biological in-situ resource utilization techniques. For instance, NASA previously funded bioengineered Pseudomonas that fix nitrogen. Additionally, NASA and ESA's joint Mars Sample Return (MSR) effort has been a flagship international project for two decades in understanding the histories of potentially habitable worlds.
Economic
COST EFFICIENCY AND OPPORTUNITIES
The rapid growth of investment in space biotechnology has presented significant opportunities for PRoSPER where government agencies and private companies are channeling major funds. PRoSPER serves as a cost-saving alternative that is deeply rooted in the ability of in-situ resource utilization. This reduces the need for transport of soil or hydroponics from Earth to Mars. The initial R&D costs can be offset by reduced food shipments. Additionally, PRoSPER expands into diverse funding streams, drawing cross industry collaborations. For instance, PRoSPER's technology can serve dual-use applications on Earth, helping to reduce soil salinity and perchlorates on land recovering from natural disasters. Emerging markets abroad located in arid and industrial regions often face perchlorate and nitrate contamination. Additionally, PRoSPER is part of a $2-4 trillion bioeconomy expansion in sustainable agriculture. Partnerships with multilateral bodies could expand PRoSPER address market internationally.
Social
Technological
BIOSYSTEM INNOVATION
PRoSPER requires extensive technology to ensure that the system is scalable. PRoSPER's competitive edge involves being able to leverage genome engineering and biofilm platforms to enhance perchlorate bioremediation. Additionally, the use of simulations and sensors will allow for perpetual improvement, growth optimization, and test strategies. Previous NASA funded studies of extremophiles demonstrated microbial perchlorate reduction and nutrient cycling, with findings that reinforce feasibility of PRoSPER and NASA interests in space bioremediation. NASA's Space Synthetic Biology and BioNutrients program highlight a shift toward biologically enabled in-situ resource utilization. PRoSPER aligns itself with this trajectory with technology capable of detoxification and resource recycling that allows for both Earth bioremediation and space applications.
Environmental
CLIMATE AND RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY
Traditional perchlorate treatments may often be chemical and rely on costly inputs and large amounts of waste. On the other hand, PRoSPER offers a biological based alternative that can be recycled in use and reduce the need for resources and minimize waste disposal. Conversations with key researchers such as Dr. Morgan Irons and Dr. Deborah Grantham helped us highlight these questions about resource allocation. In turn, our project contributes to an efficient system of bioremediation. Additionally, food waste constitutes a significant portion of space mission waste and PRoSPER provides a sustainable alternative in reducing necessary food to be carried. In the long-run, PRoSPER can help decrease the environmental footprint and provide greener alternatives for space agencies.
LIFESTYLE IMPACT
The World Health Organization has identified perchlorate exposure as a significant health risk given its ability to interfere with thyroid function. Additionally, Cornell iGEM led conversations with Dr. Elizabeth Pearce and Dr. Jodi Flaws to understand the risk of perchlorates to humans. Reducing perchlorate in Martian regolith and potential uses in domestic farming and soil treatment can provide extra safeguards in human crop consumption.
Legal
INTERNATIONAL SPACE LAW AND TREATY OBLIGATIONS
All activities related to PRoSPER are aligned with the Outer Space Treaty which is the framework for responsible state exploration. Relevant articles include Article IX on avoiding harmful contamination of Mars and Article I on benefiting all humanity. Likewise, the planetary protection policies (COSPAR) operationalizes OST principals. Proper documentation would be required under Category IV on sterilization, assembly, and contamination. PRoSPER will need to ensure that releases are within standards and international obligations.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Closed Loop with Complete Removal — very little runoff/waste due to the closed loop recycling system.
- Toxins are completely broken down and destroyed rather than isolated.
- Plug and Play Scalability — small modular bioreactors can scale easily to fit any and all scenarios.
- Earth applications — while designed for Martian colonization, it can be repurposed to serve perchlorate‑contaminated regions on Earth (e.g., Atacama Desert, Antarctic Dry Valleys).
Weaknesses
- Synbio solution — bacteria reduce nitrates before perchlorates; nitrates are needed for plant growth which may cause long‑term tradeoffs and requires a clear justification of the approach.
- Biofouling — reliance on biofilms for filtering increases likelihood/frequency of fouling, implying maintenance and potential costly replacements (especially in space/Mars).
- Initial cost — transporting the system to a potential Martian colony is a large upfront investment and may discourage early adopters.
Opportunities
- Expanding market — space colonization/space agriculture is projected to grow in the coming decade, creating more customers and investment.
- Minimal competition — few (if any) direct competitors currently address this specific need; importance will rise as missions scale.
Threats
- Investment — investors may hesitate while Martian colonization is still early; perceived timing risk may limit funding relevance to current mission phases.
- Ethics — reasonable arguments question the ethics of human colonization and introducing new life on Mars or other planets.

Figure 5: PORTER’s Five Forces
Stakeholder Analysis
Aerospace Agencies (NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, ESA)
Aerospace agencies and private space companies are able to benefit from PRoSPER sustainable life-support system and in-situ resource utilization applications. One of the major obstacles in space exploration is food and water availability. Current missions rely heavily on rehydrated foods which have limited shelf lives of one to five years and degrade nutritionally overtime. Water essential for hydration, hygiene, medical use, food is also limited where current methods using recycled water available through a closed-loop water recycling system. This creates reliance on periodic cargo resupply, increasing logistical and transportation costs with risks of running low and system failure for long-duration expeditions such as in the case of Mars exploration. PRoSPER is able to serve dual-purposes, in both detoxifying water for use and reducing reliance on costly resupply of food through in-situ resource utilization to grow food crops. Organizations like NASA are able to reduce mission payload and advance towards the potential in self-sufficiency planetary habitats.
Environmental Agencies (EPA, international equivalents)
EPA and other international environmental agencies are able to benefit from the technology from PRoSPER potential to be a strong bioremediation tool, optimized for perchlorate reduction and pollutants in groundwater. In areas of contaminated groundwater or heavy metal cleanups as well as areas affected by saltwater intrusion, PRoSPER offers an alternative that is resistant and lowers energy use and costs. Additionally, PRoSPER is easy to transport and can often be adaptable in many environments. However, risks are associated as well with accidental release of genetically modified organisms and an emphasis on strict protocols and assessments should serve as guardrails in place. Compliance with frameworks will be essential and establishing containment protocols and monitoring plans will help strengthen trust and regulatory acceptance of PRoSPER field applications.
NGOs and Advocacy Organization
Non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups focused on environmental justice and climate resilience can adopt PRoSPER to serve environmental priorities. Serving as potential modules in post-disaster and resource-scarce environments, PRoSPER can aid in providing cleaner water and expand social footprint. By partnering with advocacy groups to establish guidelines and third-party audits, PRoSPER can reinforce public trust and establish PRoSPER as a responsible model.
Agricultural Organizations and Food Security Groups
Agricultural bodies with a focus on food access and food security may find PRoSPER as a potential solution for addressing certain causes to food insecurity. Specifically, in semi-arid regions with low rainfall, some soil can have higher concentrations of saline, perchlorates, and organic content. PRoSPER's bioremediation principles can be adapted in these environments so the soil can be more suitable for potential food growth. Specifically, restoring soil fertility and reducing toxic metal and ion concentrations, improving crop yield in specific landscapes. Additionally, partnerships such as the USDA can serve as key stakeholders or allies in scaling applications of this technology to help increase food availability. For instance, pilot programs can repurpose PRoSPER's biotechnology in agricultural recovery and irrigation improvement, turning previously unsuitable soil into productive farmlands.
Researchers
The research community involving microbiologists, synthetic biologists, and planetary scientists plays an integral role in advancing PRoSPER. PRoSPER integrates the knowledge across groundbreaking studies and enables collaboration across academic institutions and global networks. Specifically, this may advance and introduce new methods in biofilm engineering and dual species co-cultures. These partnerships are key to refining the design of PRoSPER and improving usability. Engagement with thought leaders who have studied perchlorate toxicity can also strengthen the project's translational relevance in regards to human health. The transfer and publication of results and knowledge sharing can further contribute to scientific literacy in synthetic biology.
PRoSPER Owners, Employees, Investors
PRoSPER owners, employees, and investors will benefit from the potential of employment and return on investment from scaled-up production and success. A culture of safety, transparency, and continuous innovation with clear milestones and agency collaboration will help to retain investor confidence and strategically position PRoSPER.
COMPETITORS
The major competing companies in the bioremediation space are as follows:
- Regenesis — Leads in in‑situ soil and groundwater remediation technologies; provides innovative, science‑backed solutions working with environmental consultants, engineers, and regulators (Intellectual Market Insights).
- Xylem Inc. — Water technology company (HQ: Rye Brook, NY) operating in 150+ countries; delivers biological and chemical solutions for wastewater treatment, groundwater remediation, and decentralized systems.
- Veolia Environnement SA — Global leader (HQ: Paris) in water management, waste recovery, soil remediation, and energy efficiency, operating in 100+ countries; focused on complex industrial and hazardous sites (Intellectual Market Insights).
- ContiFederal — Experienced federal contractor for environmental remediation at EPA Superfund sites since CERCLA (1980); full‑spectrum hazardous site cleanup capability.
- SCS Engineers — Federal contractor (GSA, EPA, DoD branches, VA, DOE, USDA, DOJ, DOT, HUD, NPS, USPS, BIA) addressing environmental/energy management, hazardous/solid waste, and Superfund issues; pioneered risk‑based cleanups, accelerated investigations, presumptive remedies, EMS, and waste minimization.
- ERRG — Past federal contractor (US Navy, USCG, DOE, USFS, etc.) focused on toxic/hazardous remediation, including munitions disposal and cleanup of afflicted areas.

Figure 6: Competitor’s Analysis of Different Methods
Ion Exchange Resin
Ion-exchange (IX) relies on synthetic resins that replace perchlorate ions in water with chloride or other anions. This method is highly effective, especially when using perchlorate-selective resins such as Purolite A532E. It can reduce perchlorate concentrations to below detection limits and is commonly used in drinking water treatment facilities. The regenerable versions, like the ISEP® system, offer cost efficiency over time. However, drawbacks include interference by competing anions like sulfate and nitrate, potential resin fouling or degradation over time, and the generation of brine waste during regeneration, which requires further disposal.
Pros
- Highly effective: Can reduce perchlorate to low ppb levels
- Selective resins minimize competing anions and extend runtime
- Regenerable systems lower ongoing costs
Cons
- Competition from other anions can reduce efficiency: sulfates and chlorides in Martian regolith
- Generates waste brine that still needs to be dealt with
- Resins degrade over time in high temperatures and oxidant-rich environments
Membrane Filtration
Membrane filtration, particularly reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF), is a well-developed method of perchlorate removal. RO can remove up to 99.9% of perchlorate, while NF, which operates under lower pressure, can achieve 86–95% removal. These membrane processes are particularly useful in treating water with multiple contaminants. Their key advantage lies in their reliability and effectiveness at producing potable water. However, they are capital- and energy-intensive, susceptible to membrane fouling and scaling, and generate a concentrate (reject) stream still laden with perchlorate and other ions, necessitating additional handling and disposal.
Pros
- Highly effective using reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF)
- Developmental variants utilize electrodialysis to separate ions selectively
Cons
- High energy demand and pressure: difficult to maintain in space environments early on
- Membrane treatment is costly and extensive to ensure quality
- Generates brine and waste that needs additional treatment
Traditional Perchlorate Removal Methods
Ion Exchange Resin
Synthetic resins exchange perchlorate for chloride ions when water passes through them.
Pros:
- Highly effective: Can reduce perchlorate to low ppb levels
- Selective resins minimize competing anions and extend runtime
- Regenerable systems lower ongoing costs
Cons:
- Competition from other anions can reduce efficiency: Sulfates and Chlorides in Martian Regolith
- Generates waste brine that still needs to be dealt with
- Resins degrade over time in high temperatures and oxidant-rich environments
Ion-exchange (IX) relies on synthetic resins that replace perchlorate ions in water with chloride or other anions. This method is highly effective, especially when using perchlorate-selective resins such as Purolite A532E. It can reduce perchlorate concentrations to below detection limits and is commonly used in drinking water treatment facilities. The regenerable versions, like the ISEP® system, offer cost efficiency over time. However, drawbacks include interference by competing anions like sulfate and nitrate, potential resin fouling or degradation over time, and the generation of brine waste during regeneration, which requires further disposal.
Membrane Filtration
Uses pressure and semi‑permeable membranes to physically separate perchlorate.
Pros:
- Highly Effective, both utilizing reverse osmosis and nanofiltration
- Developmental, utilizing electrodialysis to separate ions selectively
Cons:
- HIGH ENERGY DEMAND and PRESSURE: Difficult to maintain in a spatial environment early on
- Membrane treatment is COSTLY and EXTENSIVE to ensure quality
- Generates brine and waste that NEEDS TO BE TREATED again
Membrane filtration, particularly reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF), is a well-developed method of perchlorate removal. RO can remove up to 99.9% of perchlorate, while NF, which operates under lower pressure, can achieve 86–95% removal. These membrane processes are particularly useful in treating water with multiple contaminants. Their key advantage lies in their reliability and effectiveness at producing potable water. However, they are capital- and energy-intensive, susceptible to membrane fouling and scaling, and generate a concentrate (reject) stream still laden with perchlorate and other ions, necessitating additional handling and disposal.
Adsorption
Solid media traps perchlorate onto their surfaces via physical/chemical adsorption.
Pros:
- Adaptable to mixed contaminants and is a useful component in multi-step treatments
- Enhanced by surfactant modification, which can boost perchlorate uptake drastically
Cons:
- Gels and adsorption media have limited capacity and can become saturated and clogged quickly
- Periodic media and gel replacement can become costly and inefficient for passive operations
- Competing ions and organic compounds can reduce the effectiveness of the gel or media
Adsorption processes, often employing granular activated carbon (GAC) or surfactant-modified activated carbon, provide another avenue for perchlorate removal. While traditional GAC is not efficient at perchlorate removal due to its lack of selectivity, surfactant-modified variants significantly improve uptake. This method is often incorporated into multi-step treatment trains to complement other technologies. Its strengths lie in its relative simplicity and adaptability. However, adsorption systems have a limited lifespan before saturation, and the presence of organic matter or other anions can reduce perchlorate binding efficiency, requiring frequent media replacement or regeneration.
Electrochemical/Chemical Catalyst
Uses electrons (via electrodes or catalytic membranes) and reducing agents (like H₂) to convert perchlorate to chlorides.
Pros:
- Specifically targets perchlorates into chlorides through chemical reactions
- Catalytic reactions have shown success in large gallon-like vessels, proving effective in reducing the ppb of perchlorates in a water source
Cons:
- High cost and High time expenses. Maintaining electrodes for electrochemical reactions can be energy-intensive
- Additionally, competing anions (Sulfates in Martian Regolith), can greatly reduce efficiency
Electrochemical and catalytic reduction represent a class of destructive treatment methods that reduce perchlorate to harmless chloride ions using electrical current or catalytic surfaces, often with hydrogen gas as a reducing agent. Catalytic membrane systems, such as palladium-based reactors, have demonstrated high effectiveness in pilot studies and may be especially useful in applications where the complete destruction of perchlorate is required. However, these systems tend to be more expensive—ranging from $2 to $9 per 1,000 gallons treated—and require precise control of operational conditions. Their energy demands and vulnerability to fouling or interference from other anions are also significant concerns.
In-Situ Chemical Reduction/Reaction Barriers
Iron-based barriers or injected reductants permanently reduce perchlorate in groundwater plumes.
Pros:
- Low maintenance after installation, allowing for passive reaction in system settings. Effectively reduces Perchlorates into chlorides
Cons:
- Hydraulic short-circuiting risks, meaning a high chance of contamination with mechanical failure
- Iron or barrier corrosion over time can reduce effectiveness
- It must be planned long ahead of time and is not easily retrofitted
- FLOWING LIQUID WATER IS NEEDED (MARS?!?!?!?)
In-situ chemical reduction (ISCR) using permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) provides a passive treatment strategy suitable for contaminated groundwater. PRBs, typically composed of zero-valent iron (ZVI), intercept and reduce perchlorate as groundwater flows through the barrier. This method is especially advantageous in remote or difficult-to-access locations, offering long-term remediation with low maintenance. However, PRBs face limitations such as variable groundwater flow, potential clogging, and declining effectiveness due to iron corrosion. Additionally, installation requires careful hydrogeological assessment and may not be suitable for rapid or emergency cleanup needs.
Unique Benefits of SynBio Solution
POSITIVE OUTPUTS:
All by-products are beneficial to planet habitability and leave no harmful or waste materials to be treated later!
Simple Sustenance:
As long as bacteria survive, the system can maintain functionality with limited, technically complicated components!
Targeted Solution:
Can specifically target Perchlorates and will not be slowed down by other anions in Martin Regolith Wash.
Additional Planet Rehabilitation:
Not only is perchlorate removed, making soil more irrigable, but organic carbon and oxygen are released into the environment, further bolstering planet habitability.
Non-biological methods for perchlorate removal—such as ion exchange, membrane filtration, adsorption, electrochemical/catalytic reduction, and in-situ chemical reduction using permeable reactive barriers—have been widely studied and implemented in environmental remediation efforts. Ion exchange resins, especially perchlorate-selective types, offer high efficiency but are hindered by competition from other anions and generate brine waste that requires further disposal. Membrane filtration, particularly reverse osmosis and nanofiltration, effectively removes perchlorate but consumes significant energy, requires pre-treatment to avoid fouling, and produces concentrated waste streams. Adsorption using activated carbon or surfactant-modified media can be integrated into treatment trains but has limited selectivity and capacity, often impacted by competing ions. Electrochemical and catalytic approaches can destroy perchlorate at the molecular level but tend to be expensive, energy-intensive, and sensitive to other contaminants. Finally, chemical reduction using permeable reactive barriers offers a passive, long-term approach for groundwater treatment, yet its effectiveness is highly site-dependent and subject to issues like clogging and iron corrosion. Across these approaches, common limitations include the generation of secondary waste, high operational costs, limited perchlorate specificity, and dependency on controlled environmental conditions. In contrast, our synthetic biology solution offers distinct advantages: it generates only beneficial byproducts, such as organic carbon and oxygen, enhancing planetary habitability; it functions with minimal infrastructure as long as the engineered microbes survive; it selectively targets perchlorate even in complex matrices like Martian regolith wash; and it passively rehabilitates the environment over time by both detoxifying soil and enriching it with life-sustaining elements.
Intellectual Property
While biofilm-based bioreactors for perchlorate removal have previously been established, PRoSPER modular Mars biofiltration system offers multiple avenues for intellectual property protection and patenting. PRoSPER integrates engineered E. Coli and Synechococcus in multi-chamber biofilm reactors with fundamental biochemical pathways and microbial bioremediation techniques. Under the current United States legal framework for patentability, we aim to patent the novel co-culture and genetically engineered strain of bacteria. Under Title 35 of the U.S.C. §§ 101, "new and useful process machine, manufacture, or composition of matter or any new and useful improvement thereof can be patented" and under the US SCOTUS case Diamond v. Chakrabarty (1980) genetically engineered organisms are patentable. In the PRoSPER system, E. coli is engineered with a codon-optimized, edited pcr gene and deployed in a novel biofilm cartridge, in coordination with a Synechococcus biofilm cartridge. This falls under engineered and non-natural constructs that would be patentable under the US SCOTUS case Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad (2013) which holds that naturally occurring DNA (even if isolated) is not patentable, but non-natural constructs, like cDNA or codon-optimized/edited sequences, can be. The novelty of the first in kind Synechococcus and E.Coli would satisfy Title 35 of the U.S.C. §§ 103 that states "A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed". However, before we officially, file a provisional patent and pursue a full utility patent, we continue to research and experiment to gain a full breadth of understanding of our novel co-culture as required by Title 35 of the U.S.C. §§ 112 and the precedence set by US SCOTUS case Amgen v. Sanofi (2023) states that the patent must teach skilled artisans how to make and use the full scope of what's claimed without undue experimentation.
Cornell iGEM will also pursue copyright protection by filing copyright applications. Specifically, we are dedicated to safeguarding the children’s book, Chloe’s Prosperous Plants made by the policy and practices team. Finally, Cornell iGEM is dedicated to the safeguarding of PRoSPER branding and name through trademarks to protect against misuse. The name PRoSPER and children’s book Chloe’s Prosperous Plants will be trademarked. In addition, the design of our mascot, Muno and Bars, will also be trademarked.
Business Model
Value Proposition
Offering a unique and sustainable solution to removing perchlorates from soil, PRoSPER strives to pioneer long-term Martian Agriculture. By combining the properties of a transformed E. Coli and Synechococcus in a coculture system, contaminated regolith is purified, allowing for the proliferation of organic matter on Earth's red twin. Unlike conventional systems, such as hydroponics, reverse osmosis, or ion exchange, PRoSPER's cartridge-based filter avoids the high installation costs, waste byproducts, and high resource expenditure of the status quo. Additionally, with a modular system capable of being Bluetooth connected to monitor system output, PRoSPER's bioreactor system gives immediate feedback in an easily confined system, both critical to intergalactic success where every second and resource is invaluable. Furthermore, the value of PRoSPER expands past the vast expanse of space and has potential for terrestrial use as well, including the sites of space launch facilities. PRoSPER's mission is to remediate not just Mars, but Earth as well, ensuring everyone can PRoSPER one filter at a time.
Customer Segments
PRoSPER primarily targets customer bases of space agencies, both governmental (NASA) and private (SpaceX), who are engaging in space exploration and developmental agricultural systems in extraterrestrial colonization. Focusing on long-term, innovative, and low-resource solutions for plant growth on Mars' harsh perchlorate-rich regolith, PRoSPER seeks to hit every mark and clear for launch with reputable, reliable, and resourceful investor backing. A secondary target for PRoSPER's mission is the indirect appeal to the agricultural and environmental sectors. Working broadly on an agricultural system, PRoSPER strives to appeal to stakeholders working in contaminated environments who need reliable and pure soil and water for crop growth. Psychogeographically, the technology and process of PRoSPER's bioremediation resonates strongly with agencies and populations that are committed to environmental protection and who worry about chemical contamination, as well as Martian colonization visionaries passionate about creating a home away from home in the stars. Finally, geographically, PRoSPER targets not just regions with strong economic investments in cosmic applications, but also regions high in pollutants and chemical contamination that may seek to alleviate critical perchlorate contamination challenges. Specifically, small public waters with their higher capital expenditure sensitivity make them a promising avenue for growth. The constellation of customer segments may seem scattered, but all are unified under the launch mission of PRoSPER: to have a safe, sustainable, and scalable solution to detoxify soil for organic life on Earth and beyond.
Revenue Streams
Operating on a hybrid revenue model that combines bioreactor hardware sales and service-based licensing, PRoSPER’s means of revenue accumulation differs on a planetary level. For cosmic-focused missions, PRoSPER will generate revenue through licensure of the Bioreactor and its operational components to space agencies and private aerospace companies for integration into their own design and systems. Core components would still be sold such as the modular bacterial cartridges. The system is built to last, but can have its function easily specialized through modularity, offering recurring revenue through opportunities created from its adaptability and the usefulness of system customization. As for terrestrial missions, PRoSPER offers Bioremediation-as-a-Service (BAAS) to government, environmental, and agricultural organizations. This service model includes the leasing of the bioreactor, as well as service deployment, maintenance, and analytical progress through a pay as you go-based structure, scaling based on how many reactors and cartridges used. Further serving as a recurring source of revenue, clients would gain access to PRoSPER’s technology and support. This combined model is tailored towards maintaining the quality of PRoSPER both on Earth and in space, while reasonably maintaining scalability in difficult fields, as well as market diversification in a variety of industries.
Pricing Strategy
In pricing PRoSPER effectively, success will hinge upon an in-depth understanding and accessing of both the Earth market and the potential market in space exploration. Pricing on Earth is heavily dependent on the true size of the perchlorate mitigation market, which can not be known in its entirety until the EPA finalizes its guidelines for acceptable perchlorate level. In the potential future where this Maximum Contamination Level falls at or around 24ug/L, it can be expected that the traditional perchlorate remediation process will be carried out by a smaller set of competing companies and that the average variable cost for this remediation will be on the higher end of the range set out within our business plan. This comes as a direct result of the high fixed cost associated with developing traditional remediation strategy infrastructure and the diminished cost reduction as a result of the lower total volume. In order for PRoSPER to succeed in an established market, it will need to set lower prices than its competitors; meaning that in this potential higher cost world, PRoSPER prices can be set at higher levels while still maintaining a cost effective advantage over competitors in securing government contracts. In the potential future where the MCL falls closer to 2ug/L, a much larger market for perchlorate remediation will exist and as a result traditional remediation strategies will see a significant decrease in cost as a result of their returns to scale. Thus, PRoSPER will be forced to lower its prices to stay competitive, however, we can still expect similar returns as a result of the added volume we could expect from the larger underlying market.
Pricing PRoSPER for use in space, specifically in sequestering the large amounts of perchlorates present in Martian soil, will be reliant heavily on success within the Earth market. PRoSPER's greatest advantage in the space market is that it's biological base requires less direct infrastructure and significantly less weight than would the traditional sequestration process. In the space market, product success is dependent on the additional costs associated with bulkier and heavier items due to the need to send them into space via rocket. Thus, PRoSPER will likely not need to compete with the traditional sequestration technique on price within the space market if PRoSPER can demonstrate its ability to sequester perchlorate at similar levels to traditional ion-exchange and to do so with a smaller device. If both of these conditions are met, PRoSPER will be able to price aggressively as a result of its lack of true competitors.
Cost Structure
PRoSPERs' cost will revolve around a solar system of operational costs, commercialization and public relations costs, and research and development costs. Research and development costs include funds necessary to sustain colonies of transformed E. Coli and Cyanobacterium; sums will be allotted to culturing, cell testing, and preservation. The largest cost for our project will be the research and development cost. Split functionally with operational costs, research and development is the lifeblood that will keep PRoSPER in the multi-industry goldilock zone. Maintaining a high quality of goods while improving year after year with market variables and scalability, R&D costs may be highest, but will provide the sharpest edge in pioneering space agriculture. In addition to sustaining organisms, the variable costs of manufacturing will also be at play in both direct and indirect distribution. The more contracts and customers active in our project, the larger our in-house manufacturing will have to scale, presenting a scaling cost. Additionally, operational costs related to maintaining lab and workspace facilities will be at play, once outside the current facilities at Cornell University. Some commercialization and public relations costs are the costs of marketing, hosting public outreach events, and offering customer support lines for PRoSPER. In order to have customers gravitate towards our mission, resources must be put into ensuring a customer-friendly experience and advertisement. Although cost may seem high, PRoSPER will continuously evaluate and optimize expenses to maintain the target profitability. Furthermore, strategic partnerships, such as continued work at Cornell University through Weill Cornell Enterprise Innovation, will reduce overall costs and help with early entrepreneurial and operational phases.
Key Partners/Suppliers
Built upon a launchpad of previous success, academic excellence, and industry leaders, PRoSPER has been supported by a constellation of capable partners throughout its inception. From academic funding from Cornell University to material and genetic grants from the likes of Ansa Biotech and Cultivarium, PRoSPER has garnered the trust and confidence of nationally and globally recognized institutions in both the scholarly and biotechnological fields. These successful partnerships not only guide PRoSPER's launch trajectory, but their credibility and momentum clear the field for future sponsorships in space, bioremediation, and agriculture.
Looking ahead, target partnerships that will fuel PRoSPER’s mission include the likes of SpaceX, NASA, AMBAR, and Cemvita, whose off-planet expertise could refine and accelerate PRoSPER’s systems development, as well as ensure its cosmic compliance. Additionally, collaborations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Communication Committee will be imperative regulatory bodies for PRoSPER’s work. These offices would further secure PRoSPER’s systems, aerospace compliance, and safeguard PRoSPER’s unique Coculture intellectual property.
Beyond these current sponsorships and targets, PRoSPER's unique position as a bioremediation, agriculture, and space-based project opens unique opportunities and grants in a plethora of fields. From NASA's SBIR and CASIS, both of which offer capital, mentorship, and technical support in astronomical missions, to private bodies such as Starburst Aerospace and Boeing for large-scale commercialization and growth, and even the EPA and World Bank for funding towards large-scale environmental projects, PRoSPER's system finds open air in many areas of expansion and market colonization.
In its unique role of advancing space agriculture, environmental sustainability, and agriculture, PRoSPER has the means to establish itself as a prominent platform with gravitational interests across planetary and interplanetary sectors.
Key Activities
As a pioneer in martian agricultural work, PRoSPER must stay ahead of the curve and maintain a stable and public image. To maintain PRoSPER's novel and niche position, effective and scalable work must be completed. As such, activities regarding PRoSPER's system's research and development, its problems and scope, its policy compliance, and its platform and network are the lifeline of PRoSPER's mission.
Research and Development
The first and foremost activity of PRoSPER is continued research into the transformation and coculturing of E. Coli and Synechococcus. As the heart of PRoSPER’s project, the success and optimization of the unique perchlorate reduction pathway is what defines PRoSPER as a niche and relevant system in various industries. In addition to work already completed, including successful bacterial transformation, the development of a coculture bioreactor, and perchlorate reduction, continuous R&D is necessary to ensure PRoSPER will keep up with any future competition, while maintaining the brand and reputation it has created.
Problem-Scope & Solutions
As the success of perchlorate reduction grows, the full potential and scope of PRoSPER must be regularly evaluated to maximize not just success in a single cosmic niche, but also as a terrestrial remediation system as well. Removing harmful chemicals from media, PRoSPER has applications in various industries on earth, including water purification and soil purification in regions high in perchlorates, i.e., the Atacama Desert. Through expanding and adjusting the mission's problem scope, new solutions can be developed as slight modifications to an already existing system. Expanding and evaluating the problem scope and solutions keeps PRoSPER alive as a multi-industry leader.
Policy Compliance
As the PRoSPER perchlorate reduction system is stabilized, maintaining compliance with all policies and regulations regarding space, bioremediation, and agriculture must be upheld. Coordination with aerospace regulatory bodies, such as the FAA, and with environmental departments, such as the EPA, ensures that the work, research, and developments accomplished at PRoSPER are in alignment with all current policies and, as such, always readily available for market use.
Platform and Network
With the completion of all R&D and Policy compliance, PRoSPER's focus as an entrepreneurial start-up is getting off the launchpad and into the market space. Through developing a tight network within both the environmental and space industries, PRoSPER can focus on spreading its bioremediation and perchlorate reduction mission to prominent businesses and companies. In addition to completing its goals and achieving financial security, a platform of project awareness for the public will also be developed. Building upon current community outreach events aimed at educating the public on synthetic biology while eliminating its negative stigma, PRoSPER aims to continue spreading awareness of biological solutions to everyday problems. This develops the SynBio market by reducing public fears, fostering a positive image, and garnering public support.
Each activity is a necessary component for PRoSPER's mission success, both in the short and long term.
Key Resources
To solidify PRoSPER's launch, a variety of readily available physical, human, and financial resources, as well as intellectual capital, are a necessity. Without these key assets, the R&D necessary to tackle extraterrestrial agriculture would not be possible.
Physical Resources
In order to develop both wet and dry lab components, physical resources such as well-equipped laboratories at Cornell and workspaces with soldering and electronic hardware ensure a successful and practical product delivery for market release. Access to culture plates for bacterial transformation and 3-D printers for prototype bioreactors allows for a tangible product, bringing PRoSPER's novel concept from light-years away to the palm of customers' hands.
Human Resources
With all hands on deck, a dedicated and skilled team of researchers, engineers, interviewers, and entrepreneurs is the scaffolding that has supported PRoSPER since its inception. Contributing hours toward bacterial culturing, technological development, public reception, and market research, the experience and knowledge each member brought fueled PRoSPER's takeoff.
Financial Resources
A constellation of financial resources was required to support PRoSPER's mission to Mars. From direct funding from Cornell University to awarded grants from notable companies such as Ansa Biotech and Cultivarium, as well as sponsorships from ASIMOV, Promega, Plasmidsaurus, Snapgene, Genscript, and others, substantial contributions from reputable biotechnology companies and academic institutions provided everything necessary for product development and testing. Their support not only provides current funding, but their backing furthers PRoSPER's credibility for subsequent marketing campaigns, fundraising efforts, and commercialization.
Intellectual Capital
With limited experience in space agriculture and co-culture systems, expert advice is imperative to the success of PRoSPER as a startup. From interviewing space expert Lynn Rothschild of NASA to soil specialist Beth Ahner of Cornell University, PRoSPER’s expert-opinion database has shaped and refined the course of its mission, providing insight into potential systematic flaws.
The access to all of these key resources ensured the proper current and future support for PRoSPER as the mission begins its launch into sustainable Martian Agriculture.
Customer Relationship
As PRoSPER will serve both a small group of extraterrestrial explorers and a larger population of earth-based farmers, customer relationships will be key to the continued success of our product. In both of these distinct environments, our product must represent a durable, reliable partner in improving the quality of soil for long-term use. While prices cannot realistically be lowered while maintaining optimal function of the system, we can assure our users that they get the high quality they pay for and help them view it as an investment in the foundations of their agricultural prospects. Additionally, for our customers in the space sector, our system brings home-planet-cooked food to the table as an alternative to rehydrated rations currently used for human space missions.
Channels
PRoSPER aims to publicize and complete its mission through a mix of both direct and indirect channels that provide efficient communication, delivery, and support to customers. One direct channel includes Bluetooth capabilities with PRoSPER's unique coculture bioreactor that allows for simple and constant updates on the system's health and stability. Indirectly, a dedicated website of trial and experimental data, research, and more is accessible in the public domain, as well as a children's book "Chloe's PRoSPERous Plants!", both of which serve as means of public engagement. Additionally, public events, such as "Build a Bacteria", further foster public relations and spread awareness as to the scope of PRoSPER and its means of perchlorate reduction.
In terms of product distribution, PRoSPER will function in-house for terrestrial projects and outsourced for cosmic missions. Selling the bioreactor and cultures directly to customers or as a service-based operation, in-house work on Earth allows for sustainable quality control of systems, the protection of intellectual property, and the flexibility of system modification as developments arise. With space missions, PRoSPER's product would have to be outsourced or leased to space agencies in order to maintain costs, but similar quality assurance and regulations would apply. Through methods of enhancing customer satisfaction, fostering public image and relations, and ensuring quality of product, PRoSPER will build trust and brand recognition, proving the applicability and success of its system in different planetary environments.
Risk Analysis
All activities and phases we undergo, carry with them, innate risk. In this section, we closely analyze the risks associated with each step of our business plan and discuss potential solutions to mitigate these risks.
Reliability in Martian Conditions
Situation: Mars presents an environment entirely different from Earth's. With lower pressure, higher radiation, and more variable temperatures than even the most extreme environments on Earth, there is no guarantee that PRoSPER will be able to function properly under these conditions.
Mitigation: Validate PRoSPER reliability in Earth's environments that are most extreme and analogous to Mars, such as Antarctic Dry Valleys or the Atacama Desert. By proving performance in extreme environments, we will strengthen confidence of applicability on Martian regolith while also attracting commercial opportunities for remediation on Earth.
Highly Regulated Environment
Situation: COSPAR, Space Treaties, and legal precedents make research on and involving Mars highly regulated. Getting clearance to deploy PRoSPER and release Earth life on Mars would be a lengthy, complex process.
Mitigation: PnP team monitors the regulatory environment surrounding space research on Mars and begins engagement with relevant regulatory bodies. Ensure zero risk of releasing Earth life on Mars (closed system) and quarantining of any organisms brought back to Earth from Mars.
Mars Colonization Uncertainty
Situation: Due to uncertainty surrounding Mars colonization efforts (both private and public), investors may be skeptical of whether agriculture on Mars will be feasible and financially relevant. This could delay access to funding.
Mitigation: During fundraising efforts, emphasize PRoSPER potential to immediately create revenue through its Earth-based applications in high perchlorate soil and water.
Supply Chain Uncertainty
Situation: High costs and unprecedented supply chain risks associated with transporting and manufacturing across two planets.
Mitigation: Concentrate efforts on applicability of PRoSPER technology on soil remediation on Earth, minimizing risks around supply chain in the short short-term. Build relationships with space agencies in the meantime to prepare a robust transportation network for eventual Mars deployment.
IP Protection
Situation: Our exit strategy of licensing PRoSPER to biotechnology companies or space agencies depends heavily on our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property.
Mitigation: File a provisional patent on bacterial co-culture and assess whether patenting of bioreactor is feasible in the future, as this depends on the functionality of our co-culture. Securing both of these patents would allow us to successfully license them as an exit strategy.
Considerations of the PRoSPER System
Why Syn-Bio?
As the launch focus of PRoSPER, synthetic biology has been thoroughly selected as the optimal method of perchlorate removal in a martian colonial environment. With the precise engineering of bacteria, several large space barriers, such as the change in gravity and the creation of harmful waste material, are circumvented. Perchlorates are naturally difficult to eliminate in nature, especially in soil and water. Through a synthetic biology approach, however, not only is perchlorate removal targeted, but its reduction at the hands of microbes results in the release of essential and nonharmful chemical components, such as chlorides and oxygen, both of which are essential for organic matter proliferation.
Unlike other methods of perchlorate removal, PRoSPER’s approach directly aligns with iGem’s terrestrial environmental goals, maximizing bioremediation and the generation of useful byproducts (oxygen), while minimizing useless waste. Furthermore, the generation of oxygen proves invaluable during space exploration, as a lifeblood to mission success. Current solutions to perchlorate removal may seem promising, but their extensive costs, reliance on chemicals, and generation of pollutants can weigh down a mission.
Like all systems, a synthetic biology approach provides challenges for success in cosmic territories, but several advantages keep it pointed as the best approach. With a compact system, unlike hydroponics, PRoSPER's bioreactor and filter can be easily transported across space. It's passive degradation circumnavigates the high pressure and water costs associated with Reverse Osmosis. Through its self-regenerating processes, unnecessary chemicals and materials needed for chemical purification are eliminated, further reducing system weight and complexity. With all these contributing factors, it is evident that a synthetic biology approach has the scalability and benefits necessary to propel humanity to the next frontier. It represents a forward-thinking approach that proves that life can find a way, even in the harshest environments, and that the solution to life on Mars is simply using life to support and enable life.
Biofouling Considerations
Although synthetic biology is the optimal solution, there are some additional considerations, particularly biofouling. Biofouling refers to the harmful accumulation of biological materials, such as bacteria and biofilms, which can cause both functional and structural defects in filtration systems. One major consequence of biofouling is decreased membrane flux, as the growth of a low-permeability biofilm layer on the membrane surface will likely reduce overall filtration efficiency. This resistance also requires constant increased input pressure to maintain a similar production rate, which in turn raises energy consumption of the system. Additionally, biofouling may accelerate membrane biodegradation through the release of acidic by-products as well as contribute to increased salt passage & reduced water quality due to ion accumulation and concentration polarization. In biofilm-based filtration systems, specifically -such as ours - biofilms often elevate the organic carbon content in the filtered product, which may increase the risk of downstream clogging in other system components. Moreover, biofouling produces corrosive metabolites (i.e acids and enzymes) that damage membranes and hasten their degradation, ultimately requiring more frequent maintenance and replacement parts.
To mitigate these various issues, solutions include regularly scheduled cleaning and maintenance, the use of operational sensors to monitor flow rates and energy consumption patterns, and the application of antifouling coatings - similar to those used on the hulls of ships - to resist biofilm attachment and growth.
Energy Comparison: PRoSPER vs Traditional Methods
One alternative to PRoSPER is a traditional reverse osmosis (RO) system, which uses high pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane - against its natural gradient - in order to filter out impurities such as heavy metals. In some cases, an RO system may involve electrodialysis which uses some electrical current to filter out specific charged ions such as perchlorates. As the purpose of PRoSPER involves the filtration of perchlorates, the advantages of this system compared to that of a conventional RO system are called into question.
Reverse Osmosis
The major long-term resource demand for large conventional RO installations is electrical energy, however the inclusion of energy-recovery devices (ERDs) significantly reduces that demand and therefore lowers annual operating costs. For a 3.0 million gallons per day (MGD) RO system operated at 80% recovery, the five-year average specific energy consumption is 1.70 kWh per 1,000 gallons (with ERD) and 2.34 kWh per 1,000 gallons when permeate throttling is used for stage flux balancing (without ERD). Assuming the system is online 90% of the time gives an average daily electrical consumption of 5,100 kWh (with ERD)/7,020 kWh (without ERD). Based on this, the annual energy consumption would be ~1,675,350 kWh (with ERD)/ ~2,306,070 kWh (without ERD). At a general energy price of $0.095/kWh, these energy demands correspond to annual energy costs of approximately $159,158 (with ERD)/$219,077 (without ERD). In summary, a conventional RO system operating under similar conditions producing the same yield as the PRoSPER system would incur ~$4.28 million (with ERD) over the course of a 20-year period.
However, this is a minimum estimate based on the assumption that energy costs in the environment of use (ex. On a Martian colony) are comparable in price, availability, and inflation (estimated at ~3% nominal annual energy inflation/20 year period) as that of Earths. Furthermore, this estimate assumes that an RO system would operate at the same relative efficiency (50-80% recovery rate) as it would on Earth and does not account for differences in fluid pressure/energy requirements under different atmospheric pressure and gravitational conditions as would be found outside of Earth. Following this assumption, this estimate does not account for the additional strain of different fluid pressure requirements nor the statistics of consequential biofouling complications in the degradation of the whole system and thus does not factor in the cost of part maintenance and replacements.
PRoSPER System


Figure 7: Optimal water volume and PRoSPER energy usage vs. power output
The major long-term resource demand for the PRoSPER perchlorate bioremediation system is also electrical energy, primarily consumed by integrated heating elements, magnetic stirring motors, and continuous monitoring circuits. However, unlike conventional pressure-driven desalination systems such as reverse osmosis (RO), PRoSPER's process operates at ambient pressure and temperature, requiring only minimal power to sustain microbial metabolic activity and maintain environmental stability. Based on laboratory-scale measurements, a 10-liter PRoSPER bioreactor consuming approximately 5.6 Wh · (L · h)⁻¹ operates at an average energy consumption of 1.34 kWh per day, corresponding to a treatment throughput of 52.5 gallons per day. This yields a specific energy requirement of ≈ 25.6 Wh per gallon, or 25.6 kWh per 1,000 gallons of perchlorate-treated water.
Assuming continuous operation (24 h/day) at 90 % uptime, the annual energy consumption for a single 10 L PRoSPER module would total approximately 440 kWh per year, translating to an annual energy cost of ≈ $42 at a general electricity rate of $0.095 · kWh⁻¹. Scaled linearly, a modular PRoSPER array capable of processing 3.0 million gallons per day (MGD)—comparable to the RO system benchmark—would consume approximately 76,800 kWh per day or 28 million kWh per year, corresponding to an annual energy cost of ≈ $2.66 million at the same energy price. Over a 20-year operational period, this represents an estimated lifetime energy cost of ≈ $53 million, excluding inflationary effects.
It should be emphasized, however, that this estimate reflects worst-case power scaling without incorporating potential energy-recovery or passive metabolic optimization features intrinsic to biological systems. In contrast to pressure-driven systems, PRoSPER’s performance scales logarithmically rather than linearly with volume due to self-regulating microbial kinetics and thermal equilibrium. Moreover, this analysis assumes Earth-equivalent energy availability and cost structures, and does not account for the higher marginal cost of electricity generation in extraterrestrial environments (e.g., photovoltaic or nuclear-derived energy on Mars). The model also omits system degradation factors such as photobioreactor fouling, electrode corrosion, or biocatalyst replacement cycles that may influence long-term sustainability and operational cost. Even with additional costs, PRoSPER provides an optimal solution that is worth the additional operating cost, especially removing the need for waste disposal that is an inherent part of the RO system. Consequently, while the PRoSPER system offers a biologically self-sustaining, alternative to traditional RO-based purification, its true energy advantage will depend heavily on the deployment context and energy infrastructure of the target environment.
The operational costs dominate the costs of using PRoSPER, the cost of production of the bioreactor is 290 USD and around 6 USD for each module. The cost of production of each E.Coli cartridge is 0.78 USD and the Synechococcus cartridge is around 1.21 USD.
Martian Bioterrain
Mars presents a uniquely inhabitable environment for plant growth. At the basic level, plants require sunlight, water, and nutrients for photosynthesis which are compromised by the soil chemistry, atmospheric composition, and planetary conditions. These challenges necessitate strategic selection and manipulation of crops and the surrounding environment to ensure successful germination and growth.
Soil Chemistry and Nutrient Imbalance
Martian soil or regolith have unique chemical, mineralogical, and physical properties that impact plant growth and toxicity challenges. Regolith is basaltic (slightly alkaline pH) in origin and abundant in silicates including olivine, pyroxene, and feldspar. Common elemental compositions include SiO₂, Fe-oxides, Al₂O₃, MgO, CaO, etc. and enriched notably in sulfur, chlorine, and nanophase iron oxides. Perchlorates (ClO₄⁻) are present at concentration of 0.5 wt% and are the most harmful, inhibiting seed germination and disrupting plant metabolism. In a 2021 case study on Perchlorate and Agriculture on Mars from Occidental College, plotting soil enriched with perchlorate with less than 1 wt% showed signs of restricted growth and lower leaf area and biomass whereas in Martian regolith, perchlorate prevented germination completely. The presence of perchlorates at 0.5-1 wt% is highly toxic to plants, and accumulation in plant tissues can interfere with metal and nutrients such as nitrate and iodine uptake. Accumulation can also cause osmotic stress where water is drawn out of roots and plants struggle to retain moisture due to high sulfate and chloride content. High salt content, specifically sulfates and chlorides can induce plasmolysis and hinder water absorption and uptake of essential nutrients. This can lead to weak growth and leaf burn. Excess sodium or magnesium can block uptake of potassium, for instance. Alkaline salts (Mg, Na, Ca) create osmotic stress when concentrated, stressing plants in a way similar to saline soils on Earth. Heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu) are essential only in trace levels but become toxic when elevated, damaging roots and shoots and can cause oxidative stress. Elevated heavy metals can cause phytotoxicity, leading to stunted growth or leaf chlorosis and necrosis due to harmful oxidative reactions. While agricultural soil has metals bound such as zinc or iron, there is too much available metal in regolith. Nutrient imbalance - Insufficient nitrogen and phosphorus interferes with the plants ability to use iron oxide even though iron oxides are abundant. Nitrogen fixation is necessary for plants to promote healthy growth and reproduction. However in the Martian atmosphere, Nitrogen is about 2.7% while on Earth, there is 78% of nitrogen.
Physical and Safety Constraints
Martian soil composition poses safety considerations for human health and agriculture. Martian dust is composed of particles 1–3 µm in size that can be irregularly shaped and pose respiratory risks for humans. Martian dust and particles can also irritate and damage lung tissues and regolith grains can often be abrasive due to lack of extensive weathering. In parallel, perchlorates are classified as toxic to humans, disrupting metabolic processes and thyroid glands. To protect individuals working with Martian soil, safety precautions including ventilation filters and dust mitigation protocols are necessary. Additionally, due to a thin atmosphere, Mars has high levels of ionizing radiation that reach surfaces which raise chemical concerns for humans and plant growth. Micronutrient excess and bioaccumulation of toxic metals can also render crops unsuitable for consumption.
Bacteria Transport
For this specific project, transporting bacteria to Mars/space environments while keeping them alive and viable is extremely important. We would have to deal with many stressors in these toxic environments, have clear-cut delivery methods, and heavily analyze the cost considerations. Some existing experiments have been conducted to answer this exact question, and companies, such as Merck, have already set some precedents which could prove vital to our operations.
Stressors
Many stressors in space can harm bacteria. One specific test of non-modified bacteria in environments near the ISS found that "numbers decreased equally, regardless of whether the microorganisms belong to different taxonomic groups" (Nature). Bacteria have to undergo three main stressors, and they are UV radiation, strong vacuum environments, and low temperatures. If we focus on the UV radiation, we can find evidence of the impact it has through previous experiments. In an experiment called EXPOSE-R2, done on the ISS, it was found that there was an '~8% survival for shielded spores while monolayers perished in UV" (NIH). The second major stressor, strong vacuum environments, have been shown to help some bacteria survive, while hurting others due to the "partial lyophilization [drying-out] in the vacuum of near-Earth space" (Nature). Temperature, the last major stressor, is very dependent on the type of bacteria, and also is an easy fix when designing payloads and methods of delivery. With the impact of the three major stressors thoroughly understood, we can now turn to possible delivery methods and the costs.
Transport Methods and Costs
To avoid the stressors of space, the bacterial cartridges will be transported in flash frozen -80 degrees celsius glycerol. Many methods of transport exist in the space transport vertical. The first idea that many space tech companies consider is simple Mars cargo done by a third party. However, estimates are extremely high, nearing $200,000/kg, which is simply out of reach for us. While the future is promising, as SpaceX is planning to provide prices of $130/kg for the SpaceX Mars plans, it is too far in the future to consider. So long as we are able to ship a starting culture to Mars we will be able to set up a process to produce biofilm cartridges there.
Nitrogen Reintroduction
Nitrogen reintroduction is a significant issue in space situations due to several reasons. The first of which is recreating an atmosphere similar to Earth, as they are normally 21% O₂ and 78% N₂. Oxygen is easy to create through water; however, there is no natural source of N. Additionally, agriculture requires nitrogen, and space soil has next to none of it. While these are huge problems, they have led to many research projects, which will prove to be useful for us when finding methods of nitrogen reintroduction. To specify, E. Coli will only use the perchlorates as a terminal electron acceptor and reduce them to chlorides once nitrates have been exhausted, so we need to find a way to reintroduce nitrogen. Below are three main methods of nitrogen reintroduction in space that we will analyze and apply to our situation.
Crew Urine
There has been a large amount of research to use the urine of space crews as a viable source of Nitrogen. The method is to separate the urine, strip ammonia, and then finally capture it as ammonium nitrate, or concentrate nitrified urine. This has been proven to be useful as an average human excretes 11 to 12 grams of Nitrogen in a day. With an average crew of four over a year, that is a yield of 16 kg of Nitrogen, which would be enough to solve the reintroduction issue that we have. In terms of how applicable it is to our situation, we know that this is a very compact solution, as it only needs some treatment, and the source comes from the space crew. Furthermore, it utilizes the waste of the crew and takes from a pre-existing resource. However, while the actual cost of this process may be small (American Chemical Society), the treatment itself is a drawback, as this takes energy, which is hard to come by in space.
Converting Martian Air to NO
This method is highly experimental; however, in procedures with simulant, Martian gas, there are ways to dissociate CO₂, generate O/O₂, and oxidize the ~2–3 percent N₂ into NO/NO₂. This could then be captured as nitric acid or nitrate salts. While this would prove to be highly beneficial in our situation, it is still very experimental and may not prove to be reliable in our situation. Additionally, the reported costs for this process are very high and resource-intensive. This leads to an improbable solution for us.
"Ship" Nitrogen
The most obvious solution to this problem is to send out packages through a third party, which could contain ammonium sulfate or nitrate. This would be very easy as it has no development risk and will be very reliable; however, logistically, it is a nightmare both financially (tens of thousands) and logistically. This could be used in an emergency.
Future Plans
Team Cornell is exceptionally well positioned for transitioning PRoSPER from proof of concept to full commercialization by 2030. In the immediate future, our participation in the 2025 iGEM Grand Jamboree will provide a platform to showcase our project and receive valuable feedback. Establishing a proof of concept between 2024 and 2026 will validate our approach. Simultaneously, we plan to complete the process of registering PRoSPER as a company and protecting our intellectual property from 2025 to 2027. Throughout this period, our team will continue critical R&D, scale up efforts, and funding efforts to support PRoSPER's growth. Beyond the current pipeline development, Team Cornell aims to continue engineering a three way co-culture to include strains of bacteria capable of nitrogenizing soil and engineer new strains of bacteria to break down other toxins such as arsenic and lead. From 2027 to 2030 as Team Cornell continues to scale, the main focus will be to begin targeting local municipalities to establish a foothold in the industry. By 2030, we forecast we will have sufficient operational capacity to begin bidding on federal contracts and begin expansion across state boundaries.

Figure 8: Future Developmental Site
Exit Strategy
Because the nature of our project is convergent with martian colonization efforts, our exit strategy depends on leveraging the potential patent for the bacterial co-culture for licensing and/or sale to private space and biotech companies. While the bioreactor itself is novel for the field of space agriculture, its uniqueness is centered around the functionality of perchlorate/salinity reducing co-culture that we would own rights to at the time of our intended exit. At this point, our best option is to license out our patents to a larger private biotech or space company in exchange for royalties. This strategy will provide a stream of revenue while outsourcing the logistical costs of production to parties with the means to pair the product with relevant projects i.e space exploration missions. In the meantime, as the feasibility of space travel develops, the main focus is to continue our growth as a service based start up targeting local contamination hotspots and at the same time to license our technology to other companies in areas that we are unable to service and target.
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