Turning pee into protein: Europe's technology turns astronaut waste into food

Solein is a high-protein powder produced from microbes (Image: Solar Foods)

Europe is reimagining how astronauts will eat on long journeys through space. The scientists are working on a tech that turns thin air and human waste into food. This project could help future Moon and Mars missions be more self-sustaining. It's a big move toward living sustainably away from Earth.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is backing a cool new food experiment. The project is looking into how astronauts might make food in space using just air and waste. The aim is to make long trips more self-reliant and sustainable, which could really cut down on the need to ship stuff from Earth.

Finnish company Solar Foods is leading the research with its Solein technology. Solein is a high-protein powder produced from microbes fed with simple elements.

On Earth, these microbes use carbon dioxide, hydrogen and ammonia to grow. In space, the nitrogen source would come from urea found in astronaut urine.

This food includes a full process. First, carbon dioxide is captured, and water is split with electricity. Then, tiny organisms would eat these materials, growing and turning into a protein-rich food source.

This process works in closed-off areas, so it is great for spaceships and moon bases. The researchers are now adapting it for microgravity and controlled space conditions.

Initial experiments will be conducted on Earth under simulated microgravity. If results hold, the method will be tested aboard in the International Space Station. The researchers will study how gases and fluids behave in weightlessness during production.

Growing food in space will change how we explore. It reduces the number of cargo runs, lowers trash accumulation, and gives astronauts more flexibility. The system can also recycle waste, turning human by-products into food. This could be very important for future lunar bases and missions to Mars.