A Global Nexus for the Space Food Ecosystem

Food is one of the top technology shortfalls for long-duration space exploration – yet the history of exploration has demonstrated time and again that food is often the critical factor between mission success and failure.

In 2021, NASA released the Deep Space Food Challenge in coordination with the Canadian Space Agency to identify technologies that could potentially contribute to the future food system for space exploration.

After final prizes were awarded in 2024, it was recognized that planning for the future food system must expand from a focus on food technologies to a food ecosystem. And, the need for a food systems roadmap that includes plans from production and safety to processing and storage, is critical to understanding the full span and complexities of the needs.

In short: the responsibility cannot lie with just one country, organization, or industry.

The Deep Space Food Consortium was established to continue the expansion of defining the future food system through bringing together the global community to connect opportunities across disciplines.

The Deep Space Food Consortium is an agile organization with a global footprint that operates across a spectrum of food and space related disciplines and industries to accelerate opportunities in applied research, technology development and demonstrations.

Crowned by a food systems demonstrator and a network of digital twins, the Consortium seeks to stimulate and guide the development of sustainable food systems for long-duration space exploration and habitation, while benefitting life on Earth.

Who We Are

The Vision:

Lead the realization of the future food system to expand humanity’s presence in the solar system.

The Mission:

Accelerate opportunities to improve the current food system; set the roadmap for the future food system; and bring the global community together to make it a reality.

Priority Areas

Pre-Packaged System Innovations
Space Crop Production Systems
Novel Food Production Technology
Processing and Preparation
Food Safety Monitoring and Detection
Technology Integration
Nutrition and Sensory Testing
Facility Setup and Operation
Data Analysis and Reporting
Human Health and Performance

Capabilities and Goals

Define Market and Identify Innovations

How We Contribute:
Conduct and introduce research
Build a global network of innovators, stakeholders, and experts
Prepare Innovations for Market

How We Contribute:
Build and maintain a ground-test demonstrator for analog
Match individual food system technologies to outfit a broader system
Bring Innovations to Market

How We Contribute:
Connect innovators with stakeholders
Identify and pursue terrestrial applications