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

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.

From the Lab to Space

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.

Testing about this theory

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.

A Step Towards Self-Sustaining Missions

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.