You can help feed future astronauts

Space agencies need your assistance to keep spacefarers healthy on long-duration missions

Space agencies want your help to keep spacefarers healthy on longduration missions

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) have paired up for a challenge to build food systems for Mars missions and other deep-space destinations. The Deep Space Food Challenge aims to generate new food production technologies or systems which would have little waste produced or resources required.

The reasoning behind this is that astronauts should be able to focus on their missions, having food production as only a secondary requirement so that they can focus on science – the main purpose of their work in space.

The ideal result will be food that is safe for long-term spaceflight and nutritious for astronauts – as well as tasty, which will encourage people to continue eating during long space voyages. These food systems and technologies may also be repurposed in places on Earth with poor food resources or for people who are living in isolated, confined environments like simulated space habitats.

“We are excited … to push the boundaries of food production technology that will help keep our future explorers healthy, knowing that some of these technologies could also have great terrestrial applications,” Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA’s space technology mission directorate, said.

NASA and the CSA each have their own application process, so pick the agency situated in the country where you are residing. People living in other countries may participate, but are not eligible for prizes. In all categories, Phase 1 submissions are due on 30 July 2021. In the US, NASA plans a $500,000 (£363,000) prize purse based on a Phase 1 food design. “Depending on the technologies presented, a possible second phase, involving a kitchen demonstration, could follow,” the agency said.

The CSA plans a three-phase competition including a design report, a kitchen demonstration and a full system demonstration, with the grand prize winner announced in

2024. Finalists may receive a prize of up to CA$380,000 (roughly $300,000 USD or £220,000) along with interim cash prizes for Phases 1 and 2. For more information, head to deepspacefoodchallenge.org.

“We are excited to push the boundaries of food production technology that will help keep our future explorers healthy”