A proposal for a novel food production system for deep space missions I put together with a collegue at Ecoation has been selected as one of ten Canadian semi-finalists in the Deep Space Food Challenge, a competition run by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.

Ecoation build innovative technologies to support growers around the world to operate some of the world’s biggest and most sophisticated greenhouses. So when NASA and the Canadian Space Agency put out a call for innovative food systems that maximize safe and nutritious food outputs to help support long-term space missions, my collegue and I were well positioned to answer.

“Our approach to deep space human exploration is strengthened by new technological advances and diverse community input. This challenge helps us push the boundaries of exploration capabilities in ways we may not recognize on our own”

Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate at the agency’s headquarters in Washington

We leveraged our expertise in plants as well as sensing, analytics and control technology to develop the CANGrow novel modular polyculture indoor food production system that will enable long term space exploration. The system incorporates novel technologies in order to offer the widest possible variety of foods with optimal yield and minimal input. It grows a diversity of biologically efficient food products: strawberries, cherry tomatoes, two root vegetables, microgreens, four unique culinary herbs, mini-head lettuce, an algae superfood, and a mycelial meat substitute dubbed ‘space bacon’. The technology has the potential to provide a variety of nutrient-dense foods totaling over 500kg annually from a system just 2m cubed in volume.

This proposal was selected as one of ten Canadian semi-finalists in the Deep Space Food Challenge, a competition run by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.

“Ecoation philosophy and mandate is to combine human knowledge with machine precision in a platform that assists growers in production and protection of our food. We are proud that our thinking and approach manifested in a solution that can grow food beyond earth. It is an honor for all of us to be selected to be part of this effort.”

Dr. Saber Mirsmailli, Founder & CEO of Ecoation. 

Innovative food systems that maximize safe and nutritious food outputs, with minimal inputs, will be key for sustainable human presence on the lunar surface and for future missions to Mars, as well as here on Earth.

“These types of food systems could offer benefits on our home planet, solutions from this challenge could enable new avenues for worldwide food production in resource-scarce regions and locations where disasters disrupt critical infrastructure.”

Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station Program at NASA

The Ecoation team has diverse experience in controlled environment agriculture ranging from plant biology and biochemistry to sensing, analytics and control technology and the practical challenges of farming at scale. Ecoation designed and built machines are used worldwide today to help make farmers' lives easier and optimize yield. Project leads Steve Humpston and Gavin Schneider epitomize this expertise coming from the worlds of plant science and technology development.

“I believe the best ideas come from truly understanding user needs and using technology to build radically better solutions. I joined Ecoation so my work could have a positive impact on the world and I am extremely proud to see our research and design work recognised as having the potential to not only change the way we live on earth, but also in space.”

Steve Humpston, senior product designer and researcher with over 9 years of experience developing consumer electronics and robotics

“Being awarded this opportunity to build technology for future space exploration is incredibly meaningful. I have dedicated my career to creating and deploying technologies that help people grow clean food. This project brings together my interests in practical plant production and my excitement for human space exploration.”

Gavin Schneider, agronomist and farmer with over 6 years of experience specialising in Controlled Environment Agriculture

Read more at the Ecoation website and on the Canadian Space Agency’s website