Towards a self-sustainable production of proteins in space: a proposed solution and roadmap
- Paper number
IAC-18,D4,2,13,x48287
- Author
Mr. Francesco Spina, Sweden, Luleå University of Technology
- Coauthor
Mr. Roberto Aguilar, Russian Federation, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology
- Coauthor
Ms. Mami Sugaya, Japan, Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Chuanzelong Guo, New Zealand, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
- Coauthor
Mr. Ryunosuke Yokoya, Japan
- Coauthor
Ms. Catherine Raisa Kimberly P. Mandigma, The Philippines, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
- Coauthor
Mr. Kensuke Wada, Japan
- Year
2018
- Abstract
Nutrition is elementary for human existence and it poses numerous challenges for deep-space exploration. The food currently used during space missions, despite its promises to deliver nutritive value to the astronaut’s diet, will become unsuitable and unsustainable during longer expeditions. Nowadays, soil-less techniques are regularly used to grow vegetables on the International Space Station, but sustainable production of proteins still remains an unsolved issue both in space and on Earth. This paper introduces a novel approach to this issue, proposing the production of proteins from fungi in space. Reasons and advantages of this approach are detailed, and it is demonstrated how the proposed solution can be self-sustainable. Furthermore, the properties of fungi can also provide solutions for water filtering and waste management, as well as other emerging applications. A roadmap is proposed, which aims to accelerate the development of the related technologies needed in space, while using them to solve pressing global challenges on Earth.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-18,D4,2,13,x48287.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.