NASA: $ 1 million for anyone who solves the problem of how to feed astronauts

"Feeding astronauts over long periods within space travel limits will require innovative solutions," said Jim Reuter, deputy director of NASA's space technology mission. New crews interested in joining the competition can sign up until February 28, but there are restriction

Walla!

technology

24/01/2022

Monday, 24 January 2022, 12:24 Updated: 12:36

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on Twitter

• Share on Email

• Share on general

• Comments

  Comments

American astronaut Eugene Sarren The last man to step on the moon, January 17, 2017 (Photo: AP)

The US space agency, NASA, plans to send its astronaut crews to distant missions in the universe, and for this purpose the US agency in coordination with the Canadian Space Agency, is currently working on upgrading the astronauts' food so that the astronauts can enjoy nutritious, tasty and satisfying meals. They survive long in their space travel.

NASA calls on the public to help develop innovative technologies or sustainable food production systems that require minimal resources and produce a minimum of waste.

A global competition called the Deep Space Food Challenge, invites research teams from around the world to design, build and demonstrate prototypes of food technologies suitable for a space mission.

More on Walla!

A healthy eating routine, a busy life routine: how do you do it?

Walla!

Food in collaboration will prepare

The challenge is to develop technology that will make it possible to preserve the nutritional value of food. Over time, food loses its nutritional value, so astronauts sent to Mars cannot enjoy the nutritional value of pre-packaged food. Beyond that, food insecurity is a common problem on the planet in both urban and rural communities. Disasters that disrupt the supply chain of raw materials, further exacerbate the problem of food shortages. Through initiatives such as the Deep Space Food Challenge, effective and humanitarian solutions can be reached in cases of floods and droughts that harm the food supply.

"Feeding astronauts over long periods of space travel will require innovative solutions," said Jim Reuter, deputy director of NASA's space technology mission at the agency's headquarters in Washington. On Earth. "

The first phase of the competition culminated in October 2021, when NASA awarded 18 teams a total of $ 450,000 for their ideas for innovative food production technology. The teams were required to develop technology that produces safe, tasty and nutritious, stable and quality food products while minimizing necessary resources.

"Feeding astronauts for long periods within the limits of space travel will require innovative solutions" (Photo: AP)

Now, NASA is inviting new teams as well as existing teams to enter Phase 2 of the competition. This phase will require

teams to build and demonstrate prototypes of their designs and produce food that will pass the judges stage. The grand prize in the competition is $ 1 million.

A food production system or approach to feed a crew of four astronauts for a three-year mission in space.Crews must take into account aspects of storage, preparation and food supply to the crew, including production, processing, transportation, consumption and disposal of waste.

In Phase 1, NASA judges gathered the development ideas of the contestants, who proposed a variety of food technology systems - some complex and some very simple. Other technologies included cultured plants and mushrooms or engineered foods such as cultured meat cells, all of which can be grown or produced by the crew on space missions.

All the teams that participated in Phase 1 of the challenge met the registration requirements to enter Phase 2. New teams interested in joining the competition can register for it until February 28th.

Please note - only American entrants will receive the coveted prize - $ 1 million.

Teams from other countries can compete but will not be eligible for cash prizes.

"We are excited to continue collaborating with the Canadian Space Agency to manage the next phase of this challenge and find solutions from around the world," Reuter said.

For more details on the Deep Space Food Challenge competition click here

• technology

Tags

• NASA