Cell-based space meat could address astronaut appetites

In Paris, the European Space Agency has completed two projects that point to the viability of growing meat in space, potentially solving a major challenge of extended space travel.

“Given the limited resources in space, growing fresh food in situ would be necessary to increase the resilience and self-sufficiency of a mission, and could also provide psychological support to the crew,” ESA engineer Paolo Corradi tells Green Queen.

Separate teams in the UK and Germany compared the nutritional value of plant- and algae-based protein to cultured meat. “After their analysis, both teams have come to similar conclusions and suggest that the idea of producing cultivated meat in space is not far-fetched and calls for further research,” says Corradi.