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NASA invites the media and public to explore the nexus of space and food innovation at the agency\u2019s Deep Space Food Challenge symposium and winners\u2019 announcement at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, Aug. 16.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 2019, NASA and the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) started the\u00a0Deep Space Food Challenge, a multi-year international effort to develop sustainable food systems for long-duration habitation in space including the Moon and Mars. Since Phase 1 of the challenge opened in 2021, more than 300 teams from 32 countries have developed innovative food system designs. On Aug. 16, NASA will announce the final Phase 3 winners and recognize the shared global effort.<\/p>\n
NASA will award up to $1.5 million during the awards ceremony, totaling the prize purse for this three-year competition at $3 million. International teams also will be recognized for their achievements.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdvanced food systems also benefit life on Earth,\u201d said Kim Krome-Sieja, acting program manager of NASA Centennial Challenges at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. \u201cSolutions from this challenge could enable new avenues for food production around the world, especially in extreme environments, resource-scarce regions, and in locations where disasters disrupt critical infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Media also may request attendance for activities on Thursday, Aug. 15, including private tours, networking, knowledge sharing, and culinary experiences. Interested media need to RSVP by 3 p.m. EDT Monday, Aug. 12, to Lane Figueroa at lane.e.figueroa@nasa.gov.<\/p>\n
The Methuselah Foundation, NASA\u2019s partner in the Deep Space Food Challenge, is hosting the event in coordination with the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and NASA Centennial Challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Phase 2 winners\u2019 event in Brooklyn, New York, was an incredible display of innovation, partnership, and collaboration across NASA, industry, and academia,\u201d said Angela Herblet, challenge manager of the Deep Space Food Challenge and program analyst of NASA Centennial Challenges at NASA Marshall. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to celebrating these brilliant Phase 3 finalists and underscoring the giant leaps they\u2019ve made toward creating sustainable, regenerative food production systems.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event will feature a meet and greet with the Phase 3 finalists, symposium panels, and live demonstrations of the finalists\u2019 food production technologies. Attendees also will have the opportunity to meet the crew of Ohio State students called \u201cSimunauts,\u201d who managed operations of the technologies during the eight-week demonstration and testing period.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing team is excited to welcome media, stakeholders, and the public to our event in Columbus,\u201d said Amy Kaminski, program executive for NASA\u2019s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. \u201cThese finalists have worked diligently for three years to develop their diverse, innovative food systems, and I\u2019m excited to see how their technologies may impact NASA\u2019s future deep space missions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The awards ceremony also will livestream on Marshall Space Flight Center\u2019s YouTube channel and NASA Prize\u2019s Facebook page.<\/p>\n
As a\u202fNASA Centennial Challenge, the Deep Space Food Challenge is a coordinated effort between\u202fNASA\u202fand CSA for the benefit of all. Subject matter experts at\u202fNASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center\u202fin Houston and\u202fNASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center\u202fin Florida support the competition. NASA\u2019s Centennial Challenges are part of the\u202fPrizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program\u202fwithin NASA\u2019s\u202fSpace Technology Mission Directorate\u202fand managed at\u202fNASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center\u202fin Huntsville, Alabama.\u202fThe Methuselah Foundation, in partnership with NASA, oversees the competitors.<\/p>\n
For more information about the symposium, see the symposium website. To learn more about the Deep Space Food Challenge, visit:<\/p>\n
nasa.gov\/spacefoodchallenge<\/strong> -end-<\/p>\n Jasmine Hopkins Lane Figueroa
Headquarters, Washington
321-432-4624
jasmine.s.hopkins@nasa.gov<\/p>\n
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-932-1940
lane.e.figueroa@nasa.gov<\/p>\n<\/div>\n