Astronauts, you had better like salad.
AP News reported last weekthat a team of scientists at Germany’s Neumayer Station III in Antarctica had successfully grown their first crop ofproduce without any soil, sunlight, or pesticides.The goal of the project was to explore food growing methods for use on outer space missions.
In total the researchers harvested eight pounds of salad greens, including swiss chard, 18 cucumbers, and 70 radishes — enough for quite the veg-heavy feast. And this crop just the beginning. The German Aerospace Centersaid last Thursday that its scientists hope to harvest up to 11 pounds of produce per week by May.
The vegetables were grown inside a shippingcontainer, which arrived in the Antarctic in January of 2018. The plants are grown throughaeroponics, a method of cultivation that doesn’t require soil or sunlight. Instead, plants receive nutrientsvia a liquid (made of nutrient solution and filtered water piped into the greenhouse) sprayed onto their roots, and bask in LED lights in air that’s enriched with CO2. The growing system and greenhouse are part ofthe “Eden ISS” project, in association with the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
Aeroponic farming is beginning to enter the home and specialty food markets, thanks to startups like Groveand AeroFarms. Since they rely on aeroponic mists and LED lights instead of sunlight and soil, these growing systems can support produce throughout the entire year, and in variable weather conditions. Including, apparently, the -20 °C (-4 °F) chill of Antarctica.
The Eden greenhouse. Photo: DLR via Flickr
This successful first harvest is a boost for scientists researching ways to grow produce on interplanetary missions where astronauts would be confined to tight quarters for several years. NASA already grew lettuceon the International Space Station earlier this year, but there are only so many salads you can eat before monotony sets in. This update from Antarctica shows that astronauts could replicate this growing system in space and cultivate a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in their ships — and possibly, someday, even on Mars or the Moon.
NASA estimates that four crew members would need 24,000 pounds of food to sustain themselves on a three-year journey to Mars. Which can get very heavy and take up a lot of space.NASA is already working on light, durable packaging for interplanetary missions, but with a viable aeroponic system, they might not have to pack quite so much. Astronauts could grow at least aportion of their food on their ship, which would lighten the load (since there’s no soil required) and also give them access to fresh produce. Because freeze-dried ice cream must get old after a while.
This isn’t the only technology that might give astronauts more culinary options in space. The Japanese company Open Meals is working towards teleporting food through digitization and connected 3D bioprinters. If they reach their goal, astronauts could theoretically be snacking on tuna nigiri (or whatever else tickled their fancy) while orbiting the red planet. At least for now, though, they’ll have to settle for salad. Lots and lots of salad.
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As an expert in space agriculture and sustainable food production systems, I can attest to the groundbreaking nature of the achievements mentioned in the article by Catherine Lamb. The successful cultivation of crops in Antarctica's Neumayer Station III, without soil, sunlight, or pesticides, represents a significant leap forward in the quest to develop reliable food growing methods for outer space missions.
The cultivation method employed, known as aeroponics, is a cutting-edge technique that eliminates the need for traditional soil. Instead, plants receive essential nutrients through a liquid sprayed onto their roots. This liquid, a nutrient solution mixed with filtered water, is distributed within a controlled environment—a shipping container in this case. The use of LED lights further demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of controlled environment agriculture, as these lights replace sunlight to support plant growth.
The "Eden ISS" project, in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), showcases the integration of advanced technology in aeroponic farming. The success of this project is evident in the impressive harvest of eight pounds of salad greens, cucumbers, and radishes, with the aim of increasing production to 11 pounds per week by May.
It's worth noting that aeroponic farming is not limited to Antarctica or outer space missions. Startups like Grove and AeroFarms are already bringing aeroponic systems into home and specialty food markets. These systems, relying on aeroponic mists and LED lights, can sustain year-round produce growth, overcoming the limitations imposed by traditional farming methods and weather conditions.
The article rightly points out the implications for future space missions, especially the potential for astronauts to cultivate their own food during extended journeys. NASA's efforts, such as growing lettuce on the International Space Station, align with the broader goal of reducing the need for extensive food storage on interplanetary missions. The weight and space constraints of carrying large amounts of food can be alleviated with viable aeroponic systems, offering astronauts access to fresh produce.
This innovative approach to space agriculture aligns with broader trends in food technology. The mention of Japanese company Open Meals exploring digitization and 3D bioprinting for space food highlights the diverse approaches being explored to enhance astronauts' culinary options beyond traditional packaged meals.
In conclusion, the success of the aeroponic farming project in Antarctica marks a pivotal moment in space agriculture, opening up new possibilities for sustainable food production in challenging environments. As we look to the future of space exploration, these advancements will play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and nutritional needs of astronauts on extended missions.
