Akihabara News (Tokyo) – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is set to link up with several public and private sector organizations to launch research and on creating sustainable food sources on the Moon.
Space Foodsphere, a Tokyo-based space food research group that is comprised of several major companies such as Ajinomoto, Coca-Cola, Kewpie, etc., will be the vanguard of this research. NTT Data is a part of the group as well.
This public-private effort will be funded by the Japanese government as a way to stimulate the commercialization of the space business within the private sector.
With JAXA joining the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-led Artemis Program and several similar programs, the likelihood of long-term lunar travel and exploration is increasing. This research project aims to meet the demand for food supplies for large crews, as well as figuring out how to maintain healthy physical and mental states in confined spaces over extended periods of time.
The program aims to grow indoor crop yields in the extreme conditions found on the Moon, including severe cold temperatures and the relative lack of air and water.
There is some thought that similar technologies could ultimately be implemented on Earth as well, as the need may arise.
The research will begin in a domestic facility and will likely migrate to Antarctica in an effort to simulate lunar conditions.
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