NASA-Funded Project Uses Yeasts to Recycle Plastic into Astronaut Food

Plastic-Based Nutrition for Deep Space

Scientists are developing a method to recycle plastics and other waste materials into edible food for astronauts on long-duration space missions. The project, which is funded by NASA, utilizes specialized yeasts to break down and upcycle plastic waste into a nutritional form.

Once the waste is processed by the yeasts, the resulting material is shaped into biscuits or "cookies" using 3D printers. This technology was developed in response to the Deep Space Food Challenge, an initiative that tasked scientists with creating new technologies to sustain astronauts during extended voyages where traditional food supplies cannot be easily replenished.

Challenges of Space Dining

Maintaining a food supply in space involves significant logistical and safety hurdles. Current NASA Space Food Systems produce freeze-dried foods and heat-stabilized pouches similar to military Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs) to meet nutritional needs. These systems often rely on one-way plastic valves to allow water injection for powdered beverages once on-orbit.

Beyond nutrition, the physical properties of food pose risks to spacecraft. For example, crumbs from traditional cookies can jeopardize a mission if they float into sensitive equipment. Because of these risks, astronaut menus are carefully constructed to minimize storage requirements, preparation needs, and the possibility of contamination.

Evolution of Astronaut Menus

The approach to space nutrition has evolved significantly since the early era of human spaceflight. During the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, astronauts consumed lukewarm compressed cubes of meat, bread, and fruit. Mission Commander Frank Borman noted at the time that the food was "varied, generally pretty good," though the rehydrated cubes often tasted more like their packaging than the actual food.

In contrast to the Apollo era, modern missions like Artemis II utilize a more diverse range of meals and snacks. To avoid the issue of crumbs, Artemis II astronauts is expected to rely heavily on tortillas. The shift toward upcycling waste into food represents the next potential phase in this evolution, moving from pre-packaged supplies to sustainable, on-site production.