[P]roducing food in space is incredibly difficult. There is very limited space aboard spacecraft, and microgravity impacts the growth of plants and cells in space. Previous attempts at growing food in space have been proofs of concept. Astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS) still largely rely on food deliveries from Earth. Now, advances in synthetic biology are improving the feasibility of growing food in space.
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As compared to plants, microbes are relatively easier to grow and more amenable to bioengineering. … “Imagine being on a flight, needing to change something about your food, you could change them more quickly,” said [Adam] Arkin.
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More recently, synthetic biology companies are exploring cellular agriculture to produce space food. The technology makes alternatives for … animal products by culturing cells in controlled environments. “Cultivators maintain a controlled, sterile environment where cells thrive, nourished by a carefully formulated cell feed containing water, oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors,” said Yoav Reisler, marketing communications director at Israeli biotech Aleph Farms.
