From early expeditions across the oceans to the exploration of polar regions, history has demonstrated time and again that food is a critical factor in a mission’s success, and space is no different. In the early days of human spaceflight in the 1960s, astronauts and cosmonauts relied on puréed meals packed into malleable aluminium tubes, which were functional but far from enjoyable. Today, the food systems aboard the International Space Station reflect decades of innovation, shaped by contributions from government agencies, commercial partners, and academic institutions.

But as we stand on the edge of a new era in space exploration, the question is no longer just how to feed astronauts, but how to nourish humanity beyond Earth.

Ever since the crew of Artemis II splashed down in the Eastern Pacific, there has been palpable public excitement about the prospect of a new space age. What the public perhaps does not expect is the blistering pace at which we’ll return to the Moon. In short order, the Artemis IV mission and beyond will see crews touch down on the lunar surface, break ground on the foundations of a permanent lunar surface base, and develop infrastructure to support continuous human presence.

The next space age will be defined by an aspiration to be in space rather than to simply go. Going to space is expeditionary; it requires tools, crafts, devices, and a finite bundle of supplies. Being in space persistently, however, requires closed-loop systems that produce and sustain life with less reliance on a literal lifeline to Earth.

Complex systems are not top-down engineered; they evolve organically through free experimentation by diverse, cross-sector actors. Organic evolution requires a workable incentive structure, something the current lunar economy cannot yet provide on its own. This is where challenge prizes and open innovation become vital. Challenge prizes allow us to drive scale and accelerate innovation toward an ambitious, strategically directed goal. They unlock key enablers, signal the priorities of an organization or sector, and engage experts from across the ag-tech sector, universities, and small businesses. In doing so, they bring unique expertise to the table and foster collaboration by breaking down silos across industries. Innovation mechanisms also allow the identification of research, technologies and approaches that need to be stimulated now in order to be fully developed and ready when they become mission critical down the road.

This model has already been proven: the Deep Space Food Challenge, a public prize competition launched through NASA’s Centennial Challenges program in coordination with the Canadian Space Agency and supported by the Methuselah Foundation, brought together more than 300 innovators from 32 countries. Completed in 2024, the challenge did more than generate ideas; it built a vibrant global community. Independent innovators and startups contributed to solving a fundamental barrier to space exploration while simultaneously deploying solutions to address food security and sustainability challenges here on Earth.

In 2026, the Deep Space Food Consortium was established by the challenge administrators and partners to continue the work of expanding the definition and development of future food systems by uniting global space food research, technology development, and validation to enable the deployment of sustainable, evolvable space food systems that enable human exploration and habitation beyond Earth, while advancing resilient and equitable food systems for life on Earth.

Building on this momentum and the success of other space challenges like the Aqualunar Challenge, Challenge Works and the Deep Space Food Consortium are looking to launch the next series of challenges to address the gaps in current space food systems. Where are the most promising breakthroughs emerging? A roadmap for future food systems must encompass much more than just agricultural production. By working to build a comprehensive roadmap, the Consortium is identifying critical gaps across funding, standards, and research priorities, and Challenge Works will help identify where prizes can best advance these innovation gaps. Some of the promising areas include production and processing (resilient crops, lab-grown proteins), human factors and safety (rapid testing, reducing risks related to biofilms), and storage and waste management (shelf-life, circular systems). 

The transition from purely government-led space exploration to a robust commercial ecosystem means that the responsibility, and the opportunity, cannot lie with just one country, organisation, or industry. Tomorrow’s space food systems are being built through decentralised, market-driven experimentation supported by strategic innovation programs.

Imagine a world where modular, automated indoor farms feed climate-stressed communities on Earth using technologies perfected for lunar habitats. Imagine a world where advanced engineering biology provides clean, highly nutritious protein on demand, anywhere from a deep space transit vehicle to an isolated terrestrial village.

To make this future a reality, the Deep Space Food Consortium and Challenge Works are actively developing a new series of challenge prizes designed to catalyse innovation for the new space age. We are seeking forward-thinking partners, funding organisations, and industry leaders to help design, co-fund, and launch the next generation of space food system prizes.

Get in touch with us today to discuss how you can partner with us to fund the breakthroughs that will sustain humanity on Earth and beyond.