Astronauts may soon be able to feed on... asteroids!

Rocks for lunch? The idea might seem absurd. Yet, scientists are seriously considering using asteroids to feed astronauts during future space missions. A truly out-of-this-world meal could soon become a reality.

Researchers have proposed a surprising process: microbes might be able to convert the organic matter in asteroids into edible food. It's a technical feat, but the idea isn't without merit.


This research builds on previous experiments, which showed that microbes could feed on meteorites that had fallen to Earth. This suggests that a similar process could work with asteroids on a space mission. These small biological factories could produce nutrient-rich biomass, offering a potential food source.

To test this hypothesis, the carbon-rich asteroid Bennu was used as a model. Preliminary estimates indicate it could provide enough food for one astronaut for hundreds, even thousands, of years, even with limited efficiency.

The proposed method relies on pyrolysis, a chemical process used to break down hydrocarbons into nutritious substances. This technique has already been tested to recycle military plastics. The results are promising, yielding edible products similar to yogurt or caramel milkshake.

However, scientists admit that this project is still theoretical. Many hurdles remain, particularly the variability of asteroid composition and potential toxicity risks of the derived products.

The ultimate goal is to make astronauts more self-sufficient in space. If they can sustain themselves using resources found during missions, this would pave the way for much longer and more ambitious space journeys.

Scientists plan to continue their research, hopeful of putting their theories into practice in the near future. Space might just become our next pantry.

What is pyrolysis and how does it help produce food from asteroids?

Pyrolysis is a chemical process that decomposes organic materials at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. In a space context, it helps to break down hydrocarbons found in asteroids to produce usable nutrients.

The hydrocarbons from the pyrolysis process are then used to feed bacteria. These microorganisms convert these components into edible biomass, offering a potential solution to feed astronauts during long space journeys.

This method of pyrolysis is already being studied to recycle plastics in a military setting, but its application to asteroids remains theoretical. Future research will need to evaluate its effectiveness in space.