How Many Years Is the Shelf Life of Space Food for Mars Exploration? [Reading Science]

US NASA Developing Deep Space Food Minimizing Waste and Suitable for Long-Term Storage
Offering $1 Million Prize, Recruiting Teams for 2nd Competition Round

Astronaut

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is offering a $1 million prize to develop space food for astronauts in preparation for deep space missions such as Mars exploration. The conditions are stringent, including a minimum shelf life of three years, minimal waste, and sufficient nutritional supply, but many food companies worldwide are reportedly participating.

On the 24th, NASA announced that it will hold the "Deep Space Food Challenge" with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to improve the existing astronaut meal system with a $1 million prize. As astronauts embark on deep space travel through programs like Artemis and Mars exploration, NASA aims to develop space food that can be stored for long periods with minimal ingredients and waste, while providing fresh and adequate nutrition. Especially for missions like Mars, which require at least a one-year round trip, astronauts must consume long-stored food. Since food quality and nutrition degrade over time, developing special processing, cooking, and storage methods is essential.

NASA also plans to utilize this space food in disaster situations caused by climate change and other factors. In the event of disasters such as floods, fires, earthquakes, and droughts that disrupt food supply chains, local residents can store this food at home as emergency rations or authorities can distribute it.

Jim Reuter, Deputy Associate Administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, said, "Providing meals to astronauts over extended periods of spaceflight requires innovative approaches," adding, "This will push the limits of food technology to maintain astronauts' health and can also be used to supply food to people at home during disaster situations."

NASA already held the first round of the competition last October, selecting 18 teams and awarding about $450,000 in prize money as a "preliminary round." They plan to increase the prize to $1 million for the second phase and are currently recruiting participating teams. Teams must develop and submit food production technologies and distribution systems capable of supplying food to four astronauts over a minimum three-year deep space exploration period. This includes designing the entire process from production, processing, transportation, consumption, and waste management, as well as storing, cooking, and delivering food to the crew.