Can cockroaches help astronauts in their long space missions? 🪳

Waste management is a critical challenge for spaceflight. But what if the waste produced by astronauts could be sustainably transformed into something valuable in space? A Polish company thought about that and has come up an innovative solution: an insect bioreactor powered by Madagascar cockroaches.

Astronika, with support from ESA, has developed an innovative insect bioreactor that could revolutionize waste management on long-duration space missions. Currently, astronauts on the ISS rely on high-temperature reactors to process small amounts of waste, but much of it is still sent back to Earth. This method is unsustainable for deep-space missions. The insect bioreactor offers a closed-loop solution by converting organic waste into valuable resources, helping to create a more self-sufficient space ecosystem.

The system relies on Madagascar cockroaches, chosen for their resilience and efficiency in breaking down waste. The bioreactor can process up to 3.6 kg of waste per week, producing over 100 grams of protein-rich biomass—equivalent to more than 20 eggs. It also aids in water recovery and reduces waste volume, making it a highly sustainable option for future missions. By optimizing the bioreactor’s environment—controlling temperature, humidity, and waste conditions—the insects’ metabolism and reproduction can be accelerated, improving efficiency.

While still in early development, the next step is to send a prototype to space to observe how cockroaches behave and reproduce in microgravity. Understanding their adaptation to space conditions will provide valuable insights for further development. In the future, this technology could be a key component of long-term missions to the Moon or Mars, not only for waste recycling but also for plant cultivation and food production, helping astronauts sustain themselves far from Earth.

📹 ESA – European Space Agency
📸 ESA/Astronika

#ESA #SpaceResearch #Cockroaches

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