NASA has launched the Deep Space Food Challenge: Mars to Table, a global competition inviting experts and the public to design Earth-independent food systems for long-duration space missions. This initiative supports NASA's Moon to Mars objectives, which aim to establish sustainable human exploration of the lunar surface and pave the way for human missions to Mars. Future deep space endeavors, lasting months or years, require food solutions beyond Earth-supplied provisions. This challenge builds on NASA's prior Deep Space Food Challenge by seeking comprehensive, self-sustaining food systems for Mars.
Challenge Details
The Mars to Table challenge is open until July 31 and offers a prize purse of up to $750,000. Participants are tasked with creating a complete meal plan and food system concept tailored for astronauts on Mars, using a NASA-provided mission scenario. Designs must include a detailed operations plan and system layout, considering:
- Nutritional balance
- Taste and palatability
- Safety protocols
- Usability and ease of operation
- Integration with NASA's Environmental Control and Life Support Systems
Broader Impact
Greg Stover, acting associate administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Missions Directorate, stated that external ideas strengthen NASA’s capacity for independent operations farther from Earth. The challenge also encourages solutions that address food security on Earth. Jennifer Edmunson, acting program manager for NASA’s Centennial Challenges, noted that innovative growth systems and novel meals developed for space could benefit harsh, remote, or resource-limited areas on Earth, as well as groups like military personnel or disaster relief responders.
Collaboration
Mars to Table is a collaborative Centennial Challenge supported by multiple NASA divisions, including Biological and Physical Sciences, Heliophysics, Planetary Science Program, Human Research Program, and the Mars Campaign Office. Subject matter experts from Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Space Center also contribute. NASA has partnered with the Methuselah Foundation and Floor23 Digital for challenge administration. More information is available at https://www.deepspacefood.org/marstotable.