FOODiQ Global, an Australian company, plans to grow oyster mushrooms in space aboard SpaceX's Fram2 mission in early April. This initiative, led by adventurer Eric Philips, aims to utilize mushrooms' fast growth and nutritional value in microgravity environments. Dr. Flavia Fayet-Moore of FOODiQ emphasizes that mushrooms require minimal inputs and can provide essential nutrients for astronauts. NASA focuses on growing crops like mushrooms, which are advantageous for future missions to the Moon and Mars, addressing vital food sustainability challenges in space exploration.
Mushrooms are considered a perfect space crop due to their fast growth and nutritional value; they don't require much input, making them ideal for life in space.
With potential for increased vitamin D exposure when exposed to UV light, mushrooms double in size daily and hold essential nutrients typically found in both vegetables and nuts.
NASA prioritizes crops that can be quickly grown and eaten in microgravity; mushrooms fit this model perfectly, helping to address food challenges for future lunar and Mars missions.
Eric Philips’ mission marks a historic venture as he becomes only the fourth Australian in space, and the first aiming to cultivate mushrooms aboard a spacecraft.
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