Space Is Hard | How NASA Will Science Its Food And Drink For Interplanetary Travel

Growing food in space is hard. Keeping a limited supply of water clean and drinkable is no easy task either.

Feb 16, 2016

Growing food in space is hard. Keeping a limited supply of water clean and drinkable is no easy task either. Here's how NASA is going to science meals for interplanetary travel.

Latest in Aerospace
Page the Inspector When a Job Stops. Free 60-Day Trial
Sponsored
Page the Inspector When a Job Stops. Free 60-Day Trial
October 1, 2026
Three large metallic sail-shaped sculptures stand in a desert landscape under a blue sky with clouds
Shield AI Picks U.S. Production Site for X-BAT, Its AI-Piloted Fighter Jet
October 2, 2026
Rocket launching vertically with bright orange flame exhaust against cloudy sky
SpaceX Flight to International Space Station Sets U.S. Speed Record
October 2, 2026
Autonomous solar-powered sailboat with white sails on blue water near waterfront buildings
New Drone Falls From Sky Like Maple Seed, Then Sails Like Boat
October 1, 2026
Related Stories
[object Object]
Aerospace
Scientists Stop Calling Out To Comet Lander As Hope Fades
Mnet 61281 Ligo
Aerospace
Scientists Have Finally Found Gravitational Waves
Mnet 61251 Mm Megarocket
Aerospace
Manufacturing Minute: Megarocket To Study Deep Space With Nanosatellites
Page the Inspector When a Job Stops. Free 60-Day Trial
Sponsor Content
Page the Inspector When a Job Stops. Free 60-Day Trial
More in Aerospace
Page the Inspector When a Job Stops. Free 60-Day Trial
Sponsored
Page the Inspector When a Job Stops. Free 60-Day Trial
A station button pages QA or engineering and logs the wait. No Wi-Fi needed.  
October 1, 2026
Three large metallic sail-shaped sculptures stand in a desert landscape under a blue sky with clouds
Aerospace
Shield AI Picks U.S. Production Site for X-BAT, Its AI-Piloted Fighter Jet
It's planned to begin production in 2029.
October 2, 2026
Rocket launching vertically with bright orange flame exhaust against cloudy sky
Aerospace
SpaceX Flight to International Space Station Sets U.S. Speed Record
This was the 13th crew launched by SpaceX for NASA.
October 2, 2026
Autonomous solar-powered sailboat with white sails on blue water near waterfront buildings
Aerospace
New Drone Falls From Sky Like Maple Seed, Then Sails Like Boat
They call it the Albatross.
October 1, 2026
Flydubai aircraft undergoing maintenance in industrial hangar with orange support equipment and scaffolding
Aerospace
An Airbus A330 Is Getting 'Shark Skin'
The surface film features tiny riblets.
September 29, 2026
Collins Aerospace corporate sign on landscaped grounds with bare trees and road
Aerospace
Collins Aerospace to Expand U.S. Engine Part Facility
The facility makes advanced fuel distribution systems.
September 29, 2026
Boeing Starliner spacecraft docked to International Space Station above Earth with blue sky and clouds visible
Aerospace
NASA Ramps Up Support to Get Boeing's Astronaut Capsule Flying
It previously stranded two test pilots at the ISS.
September 29, 2026
Two technicians in blue uniforms inspect a large turbofan jet engine in an industrial hangar setting
Aerospace
Rolls-Royce Invests $398M to Expand Aircraft Engine Manufacturing
The works are expected to be completed in 2028.
September 28, 2026
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket creating spiral light phenomenon in twilight sky with glowing bright core and pink-purple vapor trail
Aerospace
SpaceX's Supersized Starship Launches Into Orbit for the First Time
It almost didn't take off due to engine problems.
September 28, 2026
Spacecraft components and robotic arms in orbit above Earth with solar panels and station modules visible
Aerospace
Private Spacecraft Falls Back to Earth After Failed Rescue Mission
But it still got a lot of practice in.
September 25, 2026
Satellite with solar panels orbiting Earth above clouds and blue ocean
Aerospace
Outpost's 'Space Factories' Will Make Optical Fibers, Medicines and More in Orbit
The company is proving out the platform with one of its own products.
September 24, 2026
F-35 Lightning II fighter jet in flight with afterburners engaged against clear blue sky
Aerospace
Pentagon Investigates 'Shipment Issue' After China Obtains Parts From F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet
The components were on the way from Australia to the U.S.
September 24, 2026
SpaceX facility building with company logo and American flag symbol on corrugated metal exterior
Aerospace
SpaceX Prevails in Texas Land Swap Challenge
A federal judge refused to block the deal.
September 23, 2026
Military missile launch from mobile launcher on beach with bright flames and smoke against blue sky
Aerospace
Lockheed Scores $1.2B Army Contract for Strike Missiles After Second Test
The test showed the missile's ability to hit moving maritime targets.
September 23, 2026
Lunar lander module with solar panels deployed on the Moon's surface against black starry sky
Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace Ramps Production of Its Lunar Landers and Orbital Vehicles
The new facility is four times the size of its existing cleanroom.
September 22, 2026