When we think of space travelers, we imagine humans in space suits, not flying insects; yet, the first travelers to survive space flight were not astronauts, but fruit flies. In 1947, a small capsule launched from New Mexico on a captured V-2 rocket carried them into space. They returned safely, becoming the first living beings to complete a space journey.
Why Are Scientists Studying Insects for Space Travel?
Today, the European Space Agency (ESA) is revisiting this unlikely beginning with serious scientific intent. ESA has assembled food scientists, biologists, engineers, and entomologists to explore whether insects could help humans survive beyond Earth. In its latest report, “Insects On The Space Menu,” the agency highlights how insects have adapted, reproduced, and endured in extreme space conditions since the 1940s.
Åsa Berggren, a professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and lead author of a 2025 Frontiers in Physiology study, says insects are “good at withstanding physical stresses, even in environments as extreme as space.” She explains that insects can turn materials humans cannot eat into valuable protein, making them suitable for long missions in microgravity.
What makes insects fit for space farming?
ESA's findings indicate that insects are the only ones that thrive where most species cannot. They require minimum sustenance and can survive on plant leftovers or organic waste. Insects are small, light, and incredibly efficient – crickets, for instance, require 12 times less feed than cattle for equal protein output.
How Did Fruit Flies Help Space Research?
The 1947 fruit flies carried more than data on radiation. They demonstrated that life could withstand the stresses of launch, orbit, and re-entry. Success with smaller animals led to missions with larger animals and eventually humans. According to a 2014 briefing by NASA biologist Sharmila Bhattacharya, about 77 percent of known human disease genes have counterparts in fruit flies, and so the flies are very useful in biomedical research studies.
NASA’s Fruit Fly Lab on the International Space Station continues to study ageing, immunity, and long-term space effects. Insects, too, suffer from immune suppression, just like astronauts, which can help scientists understand health challenges in orbit.
Which insects have travelled to space?
ESA records show a diverse list of insect passengers: houseflies, ants, bees, caterpillars, stick insects, beetles, and even tardigrades — tiny “water bears” known for surviving vacuum exposure. Experiments revealed how ants adapted to microgravity and how tardigrades endured the harshest conditions in ESA’s 2007 Tardigrades in Space project.
Crickets and mealworms gained special attention after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approved them for human consumption in 2023. Their high protein and low environmental impact make them promising candidates for future space meals.
What Are ESA’s Future Goals?
ESA’s next step is breeding insects in space rather than just sending them there. The upcoming experiments, developed with European universities and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, will study reproduction, nutrition, and full life cycles in orbit. The aim is to identify species best suited for space farming and long-term missions.
Are Astronauts Already Eating Insects?
In 2022, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti tested a blueberry cereal bar made with cricket flour aboard the ISS. The experiment proved insect-based foods are safe and suitable for space. Cricket flour is already common in energy bars, pasta, and snacks on Earth, offering nutty or roasted flavours.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
From the fruit flies of 1947 to ESA’s space farms of tomorrow, insects continue to shape human exploration. With studies from ESA, NASA, and universities worldwide, scientists believe these small creatures may hold the key to future missions. The smallest travellers in history could soon become humanity’s most vital companions among the stars.
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