Astronauts could use asteroids to prepare meals in space, new study claims. Here's how

(Representative Image - Canva)

Scientists have unveiled an innovative solution to support astronauts on deep space missions. A recent study suggests that asteroids could provide an unexpected food source for space travellers. While astronauts won’t eat rocks, researchers aim to convert carbon from asteroids into edible forms. This approach addresses the limitations of carrying dried food and the underdevelopment of space farming.

Microbial Conversion: Transforming Carbon into Edible Biomass

Joshua Pearce, an engineering professor at Western University in Ontario, likened asteroid material to plastics in its interaction with microbes. The study, led by Michigan Technological University, builds on a U.S. Department of Defense initiative, which transformed plastic waste into food using pyrolysis. This process breaks down plastic into gas, oil, and solids. Bacteria then consume the oil, producing edible biomass.

In related research, Annemiek Waajen of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam studied microbes feeding on meteorite fragments. Her findings showed that microbes thrived on the material, offering further evidence for asteroid-based sustenance. Using these insights, Pearce’s team calculated that Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid, could sustain astronauts for centuries, even with inefficient carbon extraction.

However, significant challenges remain. Extensive toxicity tests are necessary to confirm the safety of this biomass. "It's still a long way off," noted Waajen, who was not part of the main study.