Food Production in Space

Recent years have seen a new era of space exploration and investment, largely by private companies. Some of this interest is driven by a desire to colonize space, with one area of study being how to grow food in space, as well as what types of food should be eaten.

The need for sustainable food sources during extended space missions is fueling efforts in space-based agriculture, including NASA's success in growing tomatoes on the International Space Station and research into Martian crop cultivation.

Companies are proposing making food using bacteria and asteroids, while others are looking to ancient farming techniques for potential avenues of growing food on Mars. Should the field of space agriculture continue to expand, more innovations may develop, some of which may also have applications on Earth.