Speaking to BBC News, he said: “Our dream is to have factories in orbit and on the Moon. We need to build manufacturing facilities off-world if we are to provide the infrastructure to enable humans to live and work in space
Astronauts aboard space stations or future lunar bases could soon be enjoying steak and mashed potatoes grown entirely in orbit, thanks to new research led by the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA is assessing the viability of producing lab-grown food in space, a move aimed at reducing the enormous costs associated with feeding astronauts—currently estimated at up to £20,000 per day. If successful, the project could significantly ease the logistical burden of supplying food during long-term space missions and pave the way for sustainable human life beyond Earth.
The initiative marks the first step toward developing a pilot food production plant on the International Space Station (ISS) within the next two years. Scientists hope that mastering lab-grown food production in space will support future expeditions to the Moon, Mars, and even deeper into the solar system.
Leading the research is Dr. Aqeel Shamsul, CEO and founder of Frontier Space, a company collaborating with experts at Imperial College London to bring the concept to life. Dr. Shamsul emphasized the importance of off-world food production in achieving NASA’s broader vision of making humanity a multi-planetary species.
Speaking to BBC News, he said: “Our dream is to have factories in orbit and on the Moon. We need to build manufacturing facilities off-world if we are to provide the infrastructure to enable humans to live and work in space.”
Frontier Space and Imperial College researchers are working to develop bioreactors capable of growing meat and plant cells in microgravity environments. Unlike Earth-based lab-grown food projects, space-based production faces additional challenges, such as limited resources, radiation exposure, and the unique behavior of cells in low gravity.
Experts believe that if food production can be achieved off Earth, it would not only reduce the need for costly resupply missions but also offer astronauts fresher, more nutritious meals. Currently, most food sent to the ISS is pre-packaged and processed, with limited variety and shelf life.
The success of this project could revolutionize space travel and settlement, making extended missions and even colonization efforts more viable. It could also drive innovations in food technology that may eventually benefit people on Earth, particularly in areas affected by food scarcity and environmental challenges.
The ESA hopes that with continued investment and collaboration, the dream of farming among the stars could soon become a reality.
