The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled a groundbreaking pilot programme that could revolutionise how astronauts eat during long voyages to the Moon and Mars. The project will test the production of a novel protein powder, called Solein, which can be manufactured from little more than microbes, electricity, and compounds found in human urine.
From Thin Air to the Dinner Plate
Developed by the Finnish startup Solar Foods, the Solein powder is created using a process of gas fermentation. This innovative method requires carbon dioxide and hydrogen, which are extracted from water via electricity. The key nitrogen source for the protein synthesis, however, comes from urea—a primary component of urine.
This project, named HOBI-WAN (Hydrogen Oxidizing Bacteria In Weightlessness As a source of Nutrition), will receive funding from the ESA to test its manufacturing capabilities aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This marks the first time gas fermentation technology will be trialled in a space environment, a critical step for validating its use off-world.
Overcoming the Challenges of Microgravity
Arttu Luukanen, Senior Vice President of Space & Defence at Solar Foods, highlighted the unique challenges of producing food in space. He explained that the behaviour of gases and liquids in microgravity is vastly different due to the lack of buoyancy, which can drastically affect how nutrients and gases are transported to the Solein-producing microbes.
The initial phase of the HOBI-WAN project will focus on developing the necessary technology on Earth. Following successful ground tests, the manufacturing process will be assessed in the microgravity environment of the ISS to ensure it functions as intended.
A Vision for the Future of Space Exploration
The successful implementation of this technology could have profound implications for the future of human spaceflight. Angelique Van Ombergen, ESA’s chief exploration scientist, stated that the project aims to develop a key resource to improve the autonomy, resilience, and well-being of astronauts.
She emphasised that for humans to undertake long-duration missions to the Moon or Mars, innovative and sustainable solutions are essential for survival where supplies are severely limited. This project is seen as a vital capability for the next era of exploration.
Solar Foods has a clear and ambitious vision for the future. The company is working towards achieving operational capability, enabling the production of Solein at various scales in space. By 2035, they envision Solein becoming the mainstay protein for space explorers, providing a reliable and renewable food source far from Earth.
