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Food production in space from CO2 using microbial electrosynthesis
Kyle A Alvarado1, Juan B García Martínez2, Michael M Brown2
1Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Fairbanks, AK, USA; University of Alaska Fairbanks (Mechanical Engineering and Alaska Center for Energy and Power), Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA.
Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|November 19, 2022
Summary
Microbial electrosynthesis of acetic acid (MES-AA) offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for space food production. This method significantly reduces equivalent system mass compared to traditional food options, enhancing mission feasibility.
Area of Science:
- Space exploration
- Sustainable food systems
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Current space food relies on costly, unsustainable prepackaged meals.
- Alternative methods like crop cultivation and microalgae (SCP) are energy-inefficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficiency and mass impact of microbial electrosynthesis of acetic acid (MES-AA) against prepackaged food and microalgae SCP for long-duration space missions.
- To evaluate food production systems for International Space Station, Moon, and Mars missions.
Main Methods:
- Equivalent System Mass (ESM) analysis, converting system components (power, heat rejection, volume) to mass.
- Evaluation of three-year roundtrip crewed missions.
- Calculation of electricity-to-calorie conversion efficiency.
Main Results:
- MES-AA demonstrated an average ESM 1.38x lower than prepackaged food and 2.84x lower than microalgae SCP.
- MES-AA boasts an electricity-to-calorie conversion efficiency of 19.8%, requiring 3.45 kW to feed five astronauts.
- MES-AA offers higher energy efficiency than other investigated resilient space food options.
Conclusions:
- MES-AA presents a more energy-efficient and cost-effective method for producing diverse diets in space.
- This technology supports closed-loop life support systems and has potential applications for off-grid communities on Earth.
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