Global scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking roadmap for utilizing plants to sustain human life on the Moon and Mars, with technologies that promise to revolutionize sustainable food production on Earth. Published in the journal New Phytologist, this ambitious project unites over 40 scientists from 11 countries and seven space agencies. Together, they outline the plant science innovations necessary to develop self-sustaining, plant-based life-support systems for deep space exploration.
The announcement comes as these systems are envisioned to grow fresh food, recycle water and air, and support astronaut health and well-being. To guide future missions, the authors introduce the Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) Readiness Level framework. This framework expands NASA’s existing crop evaluation scale, assessing how effectively plants can recycle nutrients, purify water, generate oxygen, and provide nutrition in space habitats.
Advancements in Space Crop Science
The study highlights recent advances in space crop science, including synthetic biology approaches, precision sensing systems, and controlled-environment agriculture. These innovations are critical as NASA prepares for the Artemis III mission in 2027, marking humanity’s return to the Moon after 55 years. A key component of this mission is the Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora (LEAF) experiment, which will attempt to grow and return plants from the lunar surface.
University of Melbourne Associate Professor Sigfredo Fuentes, a co-author of the study, alongside an international consortium of experts, explored how plants can be engineered, adapted, and monitored to thrive in lunar and Martian environments. This research is pivotal for understanding plant resilience and adaptability in extreme conditions.
Implications for Earth’s Agriculture
Lead author Dr. Luke Fountain, a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at the Kennedy Space Center, emphasized the dual benefits of this research. “By learning to grow plants in space, we’re also improving the way we grow food on our own planet. The technologies we develop for the Moon and Mars will help tackle global challenges in food, energy, and sustainability,” he stated.
Associate Professor Fuentes noted that designing plant systems for extraterrestrial environments offers powerful insights for enhancing Earth’s agriculture. “Space pushes us to design plant systems that are highly efficient, resilient, and precisely monitored,” he explained. “This work will help us grow food sustainably in drought-prone regions, cities, and remote communities.”
Driving a Sustainable Future
Professor Matthew Gilliham, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, highlighted the broader implications of space exploration technologies. “The innovations that will keep astronauts alive on the Moon, such as closed-loop farming, recycling, and resource efficiency, are the same technologies that will transform how we grow food and medicines on demand anywhere on Earth, from inner cities to remote regions, at any time of year,” he remarked.
This development follows discussions from the International Space Life Sciences Working Group (ISLSWG) Plants for Space Exploration workshop, held during the 2024 European Low Gravity Research Association conference. These discussions laid the groundwork for the collaborative effort now poised to impact both space exploration and terrestrial agriculture.
Looking Ahead
As the world grapples with climate change and food security challenges, the insights gained from space research offer a beacon of hope. By leveraging these advanced technologies, scientists aim to create more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems that can withstand environmental stresses and meet the growing global demand for food.
The move represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable living, both on Earth and beyond. As researchers continue to explore the potential of plant-based life-support systems, the next decade could see transformative changes in how we approach agriculture and resource management.
With the Artemis III mission on the horizon, the intersection of space exploration and sustainable agriculture promises to yield innovations that will benefit humanity for generations to come.
