Australian and British scientists have developed a recipe for a “space salad” that could be grown on an extraterrestrial base or on board an interplanetary spacecraft. The salad consists of peanuts, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, and kali cabbage leaves. Volunteers who tried the salad found it to be delicious.
Selecting the Right Plants
The scientists selected the crops based on the requirements for calorie and vitamin content in the daily diet of astronauts, as formulated by a previous NASA study. Over a hundred different plants were examined, but the scientists narrowed the selection down to a dozen that could provide a complete and calorie-balanced diet. The plants were also required to have the least need for fertilizers and be able to grow on hydroponics without soil. Taste compatibility of different components was also a significant factor in the selection process.
Creating a Complete Space Diet
Apart from nutritional value, the team also evaluated other features of “space nutrition” such as texture, freshness, smell, and the effect on the mood of astronauts. They wanted to promote astronaut well-being by creating a complete space diet that could provide psychological satisfaction as well. Carolina Rivera-Osorio, a graduate of the Department of Planetary Research of the City College of New York, conducted a psychological test called “The Harmonic Psychology of a Space Salad.” The results of the test were positive. One volunteer even sayed that they “wouldn’t mind eating this all week as an astronaut.”
The Future of Space Agriculture
The next stage of the research will involve the use of computer modeling to design chambers for growing salad components and systems that will help them grow. This is an essential step in the development of sustainable and nutritious food sources for long-term space missions. The project leaders, Volker Hessel and Shu Liang, believe that the salad could be an integral part of staying healthy and happy during space exploration missions. The successful development of a space salad could pave the way for further advancements in space agriculture.
