Space explorers and settlers who are far from the farms and fields of Earth will need a reliable way to produce food. A continuous supply of nutritious, safe, and appealing food is essential for people who are living and working under unusual conditions that require peak physical condition. Food also plays an important role in the psychological welfare of crewmembers by providing familiarity and variety in the diet. The ability to continually produce food is an important element of long-term survival in space that cannot be accomplished by physical or chemical means. Food will have to be grown as quickly, reliably and efficiently as possible.

Methods of Production

Astronauts on long-duration space missions or settlers on other planets will have to maintain crops in growth chambers protected from the outside environment, but they will still need to supply adequate lighting, nutrients, and a suitable atmosphere. Natural...