← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 3)
Studies have shown that nutrients in food and supplements degrade with time. Fresh foods are a rare commodity for space travel, but an alternative fresh nutritive product could be accommodated through in-flight production. The capability for on-demand production of food-safe products which provide key nutrients and therapeutics is essential for future long-duration missions. The BioNutrients experiments demonstrate the potential for engineered microorganisms to supplement crew food supplies through on-demand in situ production of fresh, high-value nutrients.
BioNutrients-1 is a 5-year flight experiment, launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019, investigating microbial and media storage and time-course nutrient production utilizing a hard-cased production pack. BioNutrients-2 is a 6-month flight experiment, launched in 2022, testing a low volume, lightweight production bag to produce yeast-based nutrients and medically-relevant compounds, and food products. Improvements on the bioreactor design are being sought to improve bioreactor reusability, performance, and output. The ability to resourcefully print a ready-to-use bioreactor allows for a reduction in material and logistics that may provide a more cost-effective production solution over single use bioreactors.
NASA’s Synthetic Biology Project turned to the 3D printing experts in the GrabCAD community for ideas and or designs that could lead to the ability to reuse and recycle small scale bioreactors to reduce the mass and volume requirements for deep space.
Ideas and/or designs that could lead to the ability to readily manufacture and reuse or recycle a new BioNutrient bioreactor design so that only the dormant microorganisms and growth media need to resupplied from Earth.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.