NASA created an open challenge calling for innovative food systems to use on missions to Mars. Traveling at 25,000 miles per hour, the average spacecraft speed, a trip to Mars takes seven and a half months. Therefore, missions to the Red Planet are considered multi-year missions, and food becomes a big problem.

Spacecrafts not only need to be built to endure launch, space navigation, and landing. Life support systems are also vital components that define the success or failure of a crewed mission. These systems must provide breathable air, drinking water, process waste, control temperature, ventilate, protect astronauts from radiation, remove CO2, and of course, feed the astronauts for passengers to survive.

Related: Did Mars Have Oceans, Glaciers & Freezing Temperatures 3 Billion Years Ago?

NASA announced a prize of one million dollars for the Deep Space Food Challenge winner. NASA says that food is a necessary fuel, but its system needs an upgrade. Those presenting ideas must develop a complete food system, from storage to production, nutrition, and waste. The designs must feed and keep healthy a crew of four astronauts for three years.

Space Food Yesterday And Today

NASA Space Shuttle Era Space Food.
NASA Space Shuttle Era Space Food.

There are many reasons why the current NASA food systems don’t work for more extended missions. For example, today, astronauts in the International Space Station receive frequent resupplies. These resupply missions bring food up and bring waste down, often letting it burn in the atmosphere. Even missions to the moon could count towards resupply missions. But unfortunately, foods, even refrigerated, vacuum-sealed, frozen, or powdered, lose nutritious value as time goes by and don’t keep astronauts healthy.

The first astronauts hated eating in space. Squeeze tubes, bite-sized gelatin-coated foods, and freeze-dried foods made up for a limited menu. The Apollo program improved variety. Astronauts also had hot water, which they used to rehydrate foods. But eating was no way close to the real thing. Food for Skylab and the ISS got significantly better, but cans, vacuum-sealed foods, and premade army-style food packages still rule the breakfast-to-dinner experience in space.

The most significant advancements in space food systems include technologies like 3D food printers and “growing your own food systems.” NASA says that whoever solves this challenge could also be helping solve the one billion people world hunger crisis on Earth. “Pushing the boundaries of food technology will keep future explorers healthy and could even help feed people here at home,” Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, says.

Next: These New Driveable Lunar Rovers Were Designed By GM And Lockheed Martin

Source: NASA