Pioneer Labs X Space Resource Technologies 

Defined Mars Media is a chemically defined microbial growth media simulating the aqueous phase of Mars regolith mixed with water. While other Mars simulants capture bulk mineralogy, DMM specifically models bioavailable ions and chemical stressors.

It is designed with astrobiology experiments in mind for researchers who want to assay organismal growth in a chemically defined growth medium. It also provides a base solution that can be customized to study the impact of individual stressors and additives of choice (ex. carbon source, buffering). 

Key Highlights

• Key capability:
  Models soluble Mars regolith chemistry in a reproducible and modifiable liquid format. 
• Performance or fidelity:
  Formulated based on Phoenix Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL), Curiosity Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), equilibrium model studies, and in-house leaching experiments. Validated from 20x concentrate down to 1x concentrate, equivalent to 800 to 40 g/L of leached regolith. Consistent across different operators and at different times.
• Primary use case:
  Quantifying organismal survival and growth under Mars-like aqueous chemistry.
• Differentiator:
  First complete chemically defined simulant of the aqueous chemistry of Mars regolith. Provides a solution of reproducible bioavailable ions including potential nutrients, stressors, and trace elements. 

Product Overview 

What the product represents or simulates:

Defined Mars Media (DMM) simulates the aqueous chemistry of Mars regolith, ex. what bioavailable ions solubilize when regolith is mixed with water.

How it was developed (data, methodology, etc.):

DMM was formulated by Pioneer Labs based on Phoenix Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL), Curiosity Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), equilibrium model studies, and leaching experiments. We took reported Mars mission measurements, equilibrium model data, and leaching measurements, and averaged across the literature and our own studies to formulate a chemically defined macro- and micro- nutrient profile for Mars regolith mixed with water. We validated species concentrations in DMM using ion chromatography, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and inducted coupled plasmid mass spectrometry. 

Why this approach is useful: 

This chemically defined Mars regolith solution simulant enables reproducible biological experimentation specifically taking into account the bioavailable aqueous chemistry. It also allows for systematic tuning (ex. 1x, 5x, 10x, 20x concentrates, ± stressors, ± carbon source, ± buffering) and modular control (ex. assaying phosphate sensitivity relative to a base media). 

Applications / Use Cases

• Biological, astrobiology, and plant growth research

• Microbial survival assays 

• Biological in situ resource utilization (bio-ISRU) development

• Microbial habitability studies

• Planetary protection testing 

• Sensitivity analysis

• Adaptive laboratory evolution

• Validation of strains for flight test scenarios 

What’s Included

• Defined Mars Media (DMM) Macronutrients 20.4x stock solution

• Defined Mars Media (DMM) MIcronutrients 1000x stock solution

• Protocol sheet describing how to assemble the media components with in-house prepared perchlorate stock solution to create a 1x to 20x DMM for use in astrobiology experiments.

• SDS sheet 20x DMM

• SDS Sheet 1000x DMM

• Required but not included: Defined Mars Media (DMM) Perchlorate 1000x stock solution.

How It Works (Simple Steps)

Step 1:

• Purchase Defined Mars Media (DMM) from Space Resource Technologies (SRT).
• You receive 1) 20.4x DMM Macronutrients without perchlorates and 2) 1000x DMM Micronutrients.

Step 2:

• Prepare a 1000x Perchlorate Salts Stock as described in the instructions included in your DMM package. 

Step 3:

• Prepare a 20x Macronutrient Stock Solution by combining 500 mL 20.4x DMM Macronutrients without perchlorate (from SRT) with 10 mL 1000x Perchlorate Salt Solution, and filter sterilize with a 0.2 𝜇M filter. 

Step 4:

• Combine 20x Macronutrient Stock Solution, 1000x Micronutrient Stock Solution, and any additives (ex. carbon sources, buffering agents) at appropriate ratios to prepare 1x to 20x complete DMM.
• Filter sterilize with a 0.2 𝜇M filter and use immediately.
• Precipitation may occur during long term storage. 

Technical Specifications

• Spec Sheet
• Composition / formulation overview:

  • Macronutrients included: Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, PO43-

  • Micronutrients included: Li, B, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Ba, W

• Concentration ranges: We recommend use between 1-20x DMM, corresponding to 40-800 g/L regolith:water.  

• Storage conditions: We recommend sterile filtering and storing DMM Macronutrients at 4C. We recommend adding DMM Micronutrients as needed and using them immediately. Precipitation may occur during long term storage of the combined Macronutrients + Micronutrients solution.

• Shelf life: Up to 6 months at 4C.

• Preparation requirements: See the included Protocol sheet for detailed information on how to prepare DMM. 

Scientific Basis / Validation

• Data sources (e.g., Mars mission data, lab analysis): DMM was formulated based on Phoenix Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL) (Hecht 2009, Kounaves 2010a, Kounaves 2010b), Curiosity Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) (Stern 2015, Stern 2017), equilibrium model studies (Toner 2014), and leaching experiments (Adcock 2013, Stroble 2013, Schuerger 2017, Naz 2023, Greene 2026). We took reported Mars mission measurements, equilibrium model data, and leaching measurements, and averaged across the literature and our own studies to formulate a chemically defined macro- and micro- nutrient profile for Mars regolith mixed with water (Greene 2026). 

• Validation methods: We validated species concentrations in DMM using ion chromatography, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and inducted coupled plasmid mass spectrometry. 

• Preprint: Greene, H., Nattermann, U., Stork, D.A., Martin, F.R., Schubert, M.G., Pedersen, T., Sukarto, E., Spens, A., Mancusco, J.E., Isaev, K., Hicks, N.D., Liu, J., Harris, R., Cockell, C.S., Kounaves, S.P., and DeBenedictis, E.A. Defined Mars Media (DMM), a chemically defined simulant of the soluble macro- and micro- nutrients in Mars regolith for use in biological research. 2026. bioRxiv 2026.04.24.719001; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.24.719001

Downloadable Resources

• DMM Protocol

• DMM Spec Sheet

• SDS 20x DMM 

• SDS 1000x DMM 

Ideal Users

• Astrobiologists and microbiologists studying the potential for extant life on Mars in an aqueous environment

• Synthetic biology and bioengineering researchers developing biological in situ resource utilization (bio-ISRU)

• Planetary protection programs performing survival or propagation assays

Important Notes

• DMM is designed strictly for research-grade applications

• The purchaser's lab should have a designated waste stream for DMM, such as oxidizer waste and/or heavy metals waste.

• Always use appropriate PPE when handling DMM (gloves, lab goggles, lab coat)