Biological concepts could be used to make interstellar travel a reality. Allowing a starship to grow and evolve - using 3D printing for example - could be a solution to deal with the highly unpredictable nature of interstellar space. As a space systems researcher and developmental biologist, Angelo Vermeulen explains how he fuses both fields to come up with a new approach for space exploration. He concludes that embracing evolution and adaptability is the natural way forward to face uncertain futures, both in space and on Earth.

Angelo Vermeulen is a space systems researcher, biologist, community artist, and TED Senior Fellow.

In 2009 he initiated SEAD (Space Ecologies Art and Design), an international network of individuals working in art, science, engineering and advocacy. Its goal is to reshape the future through critical reflection and hands-on experimentation.

Biomodd and Seeker are the two most well-known SEAD projects. In 2013 he was crew commander of the NASA funded HI-SEAS Mars simulation in Hawaii.

Currently he is in the final stage of his PHD studies at TU Delft creating new concepts for starship development.

The guiding question here is: how can we reinvent space exploration in a more open and participatory way?

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx