Hands in the Dirt for Space Food

Image from here ~ http://www.vice.com/read/astronauts-gourmet-food-in-space-alain-ducasse-876

Astronauts must eat and the better the food, the better their health.

Could Tasmania make a contribution to space development, by supporting research with space food, nutrition and plants that can be grown in space?

The Department of Defence in Australia has a research and food production facility in Scottsdale, in the north-east of Tasmania, which began operations during World War II, to provide better tucker for Australian diggers at the front. [1]

There is no reason why research could not be undertaken into nutritious space food in Tasmania.

With space-faring nations looking to longer missions from Earth, back to the Moon and on to Mars, there will be a need to develop crops that can be grown in space and this work must begin on Earth.

Tasmania now plays a significant role in supplying the needs of expeditions in Antarctica, which is our own alien environment on Earth and as harsh as many places beyond Earth. [2]

In the past, Tasmania has played a leading role in agricultural workforce skill development, which could now be applied to select niches in space development. [3]

With space tourism about to become a pioneering industry, beginning with short flights leading the way toward space hotels, the need to understand and deliver space food can only increase.

In time space settlements that may be developed beyond Earth and across the Solar System, could carry a little of Tasmania among the stars, with foods developed for space.

To grasp opportunity, it can pay to reach for the stars.

REFERENCES ~

[1] Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Department of Defence, Scottsdale, Tasmania
http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/documents/Scottsdale-Redevelopment-FactSheet.pdf

[2] http://www.antarctictasmania.com/

[3] ‘Boundary crossers set rural training agenda’
Rose Grant, 30 July 2015, Tas Country Hour~ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-30/tch-rural-training/6658662?WT.ac=localnews_northtas