A new experiment by the European Space Agency (ESA) is testing lab-grown food production in space.
A bioreactor was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It will test whether food can be made from cells in microgravity.
Goal: Lower the Cost of Space Nutrition
Currently, feeding astronauts in space can cost up to £20,000 per day.
The aim of this mission is to reduce that cost and support long-term missions to the Moon and Mars.
Precision Fermentation Used The bioreactor uses a method called precision fermentation.
This technique is similar to brewing. But instead of alcohol, engineered yeast is used to produce proteins, fats, and nutrients.
European Collaboration Behind the Mission
The mission is a joint effort by ESA, Frontier Space, and Imperial College London.
Dr Aqeel Shamsul, CEO of Frontier Space, said:
“We dream of building space factories — both in orbit and on the Moon.”
Reusable Spacecraft Deployed
The yeast was placed inside a cube satellite. It flew on Phoenix, Europe’s first commercial reusable spacecraft.
The spacecraft will return to Earth after orbiting and will land near Portugal for data collection.
Recipes for Space Dining Jakub Radzikowski, a culinary designer at Imperial College, is preparing space meals.
For now, he’s using natural fungi while awaiting lab-grown food approval.
“Any cuisine is possible — French, Chinese, Indian. Space meals can feel like home,” he said.
UK’s First Astronaut Supports the Project
Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, praised the early results.
She said lab-grown meals could improve astronauts’ health by offering better-tailored nutrition.
“Astronauts lose weight and face body changes. Custom meals could make a real difference.”
