Scientists say plant’s resilience suggests it could help with oxygen generation or soil formation on space missions Scientists say plant’s resilience suggests it could help with oxygen generation or soil formation on space missions Matt Damon grew potatoes for survival in The Martian, but researchers say mosses could one day help turn the dust and rocks of other planets into fertile soil. Physcomitrella patens , or spreading earthmoss, is already known as a pioneering species – albeit for being