Researchers from Western University’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration propose a method for astronauts to mine asteroids as a source of food during long-duration space missions. The process involves using microbes to convert organic materials found in asteroids into edible biomass. This development could significantly reduce the reliance on Earth for food resupply, which is currently complicated and costly. The study, focusing on carbonaceous chondrite asteroids, estimates that mining could yield substantial amounts of food, supporting thousands of astronaut life years. However, further research is needed to determine the feasibility of mining and processing asteroids for this purpose.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asteroids may provide food for astronauts | Shift from Earth-based food supplies to space-sourced food | Sustainable food production in space missions | Reducing reliance on Earth for resupply |
| Microbes convert asteroids into edible biomass | Change from complex farming to microbial processing | Efficient on-site food generation in space | Enhancing long-duration mission viability |
| Carbonaceous asteroids as food sources | Transition from traditional food sources to space mining | Expanded exploration capabilities beyond Earth | Enabling deeper solar system exploration |
| Potential biomass yield from asteroids | Move from limited payloads to local resource utilization | Increased astronaut life sustainability | Cost-effective resource management in space |
| Need for further research on asteroid processing | Shift from theoretical to practical application | Established mining and food production techniques | Innovation in space exploration technologies |
| Use of pyrolysis to create food | Change from Earth resources to in-situ resource utilization | Advanced space agriculture systems | Addressing challenges of long-term space habitation |
| Potential for asteroid-based industries | Change from temporary missions to permanent outposts | Development of extraterrestrial settlement frameworks | Long-term colonization prospects in space |