NASA Launches $1 Million Competition: 'Create Food for Astronauts'

Human presence in space has been limited to low Earth orbit for several decades, but this era is coming to an end. NASA plans to send humans back to the Moon in the coming years and ensure their long-term presence there, which will also aid future missions to Mars. The aerospace agency is actively working on rockets, space stations, and other equipment, but astronauts' food remains inadequate. However, NASA is attempting to rectify this issue, as reported by 3dnews.ru, citing extremetech.com.

NASA is now inviting teams that participated in the first phase of a competition, as well as newcomers, to take part in the second phase. It should be noted that cash prizes will be available only to American teams, although all interested parties can participate in the competition. Participants in the first phase were offered pre-prepared food items that can be stored for long durations, including dehydrated powders and artificially grown meat cells. The requirements for the second phase will be more stringent. Participants must prove that their ideas are viable. This means the jury will evaluate not only the nutritional value and ease of storage of the proposed food items but also their taste qualities and potential for use in space. It would not be ideal if the proposed food is so unpleasant that astronauts can't eat it.

Preparing food on Earth is a common task. However, everything is much more complicated in space. Many food products lose their properties when stored for long periods or leave behind significant waste. Thus, the Deep Space Food Challenge is an important initiative that, no less than technological developments, contributes to the success of space missions.