Shape the Future of Food for Earth and Beyond
Deep Space Food Symposium
August 15-16, 2024
The Ohio State University
In 2019, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency instigated the Deep Space Food Challenge, a multi-year international effort to develop sustainable food systems for long duration habitation in space, on the Moon, and on Mars.
Since the launch of the Challenge in 2021, over 300 teams from 32 countries have developed innovative food system designs. On August 16, 2024 at The Ohio State University we will reveal the winners and celebrate our shared global effort.
Program Highlights
Witness the convergence of deep space exploration and food tech innovation as we celebrate Phase 3 of the Deep Space Food Challenge.
Co-hosted by NASA Centennial Challenges, Methuselah Foundation, and The Ohio State University, the Deep Space Food Symposium will celebrate the Deep Space Food Challenge, a multi-year international effort to develop sustainable food systems for long duration habitation in space, on the Moon, and on Mars.
Thursday, August 15
Experience exclusive tours, networking, knowledge sharing, and out-of-this-world culinary experiences.
EXCLUSIVE TOURS*
Get a hands-on look at the cutting-edge research and technology shaping the future of food production at the Ohio State University, including The George Washington Carver Science Park’s Starlab Ground Lab US and the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex.
DEEP KNOWLEDGE SHARING*
Join the Teams, Judges, and Industry SME’s for in-depth technical discussions regarding new innovative approaches to space food systems from DSFC Phase 3 teams, including Interstellar Lab, Solar Foods, SATED, Nolux, Kernel Deltech, and Enigma of the Cosmos.
VIP DINNER: THE FUTURE OF FOOD
@ FYR RESTAURANT*
Indulge in an evening where culinary excellence meets innovation, blending the finest of Ohio's local cuisine with a cutting-edge vision for the future of space food.
Join FYR’s own Executive Chef Sebastian La Rocca to learn about the importance of this culinary evolution.
Meet the Deep Space Food Challenge Teams, subject matter experts, and industry leaders from organizations such as NASA, Starlab, and National Future Farmers of America.
*Please note that OSU Facility Tours, Knowledge Sharing Session, and The Future of Food @ FYR are by invitation only. Apply for attendance here.
Friday, August 16
Explore the nexus of space and food innovation with experts from NASA, industry, and academia.
FULL-DAY PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM
Location:
Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr, Columbus, OH 43210
Shuttles available from Hilton Columbus Downtown to conference location.
8:15 - 9:00
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:00 - 9:10
KEYNOTE
Houston, We Need a Food System
We set the stage for a full day of solving for the fundamentals of long-duration human habitation in space, on the Moon, on Mars, and how we bring it all home for terrestrial impact.
9:10 - 9:30
Robyn Gatens,
Director, International Space Station
AGENCY PANEL
Challenging the Norm: How Government Investments in Innovative Methods Help Push Technology Forward
Government investments in sometimes unconventional and cutting-edge methods have inspired and engaged solvers and experts from around the world in space missions. Through efforts like the Deep Space Food Challenge, international research and technology development is advancing for the benefit of both space exploration and Earth.
9:30 - 10:10
Robyn Gatens
Director, International Space Station
Mike Green
Deputy Associate Administrator for Management, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA
Christian Lange
Executive Director, Lunar Exploration Program, Canadian Space Agency
10:10 - 10:40
Coffee Break
Abby Dickes
Chief Marketing Officer, Voyager Space
Industry Stage Setting
10:40 - 10:50
INDUSTRY PANEL
Innovation Beyond Earth: The Roadmap for Space Exploration and Habitation
How do government agencies and commercial space companies create a collaborative environment that fosters a culture of innovation for systems, technologies, and methods that will benefit all space missions?
10:50 - 11:40
Tor Blomqvist
Researcher, German Aerospace Center
Chuyan Chen
Food Systems Manager, Axiom
John Sims
Missions Operations Manager, Starlab Space
Trent Smith
Research Advisor for Space Plant Production, NASA KSC
TEAM PRESENTATIONS
Building a Sustainable Space Food Supply Chain Part 1
This is an opportunity to hear from the DSFC Phase 3 teams on how they envision developing the space food supply chain through their innovation, and how they plan to move forward with their concepts after the conclusion of DSFC.
11:40 - 12:20
Chef Tyler Florence
Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur
TEAM INTERSTELLAR LAB
Barbara Belvisi
Founder and CEO, Interstellar Lab
TEAM SATED
Jim Sears
CEO, Ascent Technologies
12:20 - 1:40
Lunch and Networking
1:40 - 2:30
Jess Bunchek
Astrobotanist, German Aerospace Center, NASA
Impact Stage Setting
IMPACT PANEL
Solving for Earth: How Space Food Innovations Benefit Our Planet
After hearing about the government roadmaps and industry investment towards the Moon to Mars exploration, the final panel for the day will focus on translating space food tech innovations for use on Earth, and the implications on culture, food security, and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
1:40 - 2:30
Moderator: Larissa Zimberoff
Journalist, Author of Technically Food: Inside Silicon Valley's Mission to Change What We Eat
Andri Gudmundsson
Co-founder, Vaxa
Richard Harvey
COO, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space
Chef Charisse Grey
Senior Director, R&D, José Andrés Group
Dr. Arttu Luukanen
Senior Vice President, Space & Defense, Solar Foods
TEAM PRESENTATIONS
Building a Sustainable Space Food Supply Chain Part 2
This is an opportunity to hear from the DSFC Phase 3 teams on how they envision developing the space food supply chain through their innovation, and how they plan to move forward with their concepts after the conclusion of DSFC.
2:30 - 3:10
Chef Tyler Florence
Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur
TEAM KERNEL DELTECH
Dr. Pablo de León
President, De Leon Technologies LLC
TEAM NOLUX
Dr. Robert Jinkerson
Assistant Professor, PI,
University of California, Riverside
Coffee break
3:10 - 3:40
Nurturing the Next Generation of Space Food Innovators
This panel explores cutting-edge STEM initiatives and open innovation projects focused on developing sustainable nutrition solutions for long-duration space missions. Discover how The Ohio State University and the Plant the Moon Challenge are inspiring future space food innovators.
3:40 - 4:20
John Horack
Professor and Neil Armstrong Chair in Aerospace Policy, The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University Simunauts:
Charlie Frick, Fuanyi Fobellah, Mehr Un Nisa, and Sakura Sugiyama
Joshua Neubert
CEO, Institute of Competition Sciences
TEAM PRESENTATIONS
Building a Sustainable Space Food Supply Chain Part 3
This is an opportunity to hear from the DSFC Phase 3 teams on how they envision developing the space food supply chain through their innovation, and how they plan to move forward with their concepts after the conclusion of DSFC.
4:20 - 5:20
Chef Tyler Florence
Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur
TEAM ENIGMA OF THE COSMOS
Nadun Hennayaka
Founder & CEO, Gaia Project Australia
TEAM MYCORENA
Dr. Carlos Núñez Otero
TechMyc Manager, Mycorena
TEAM SOLAR FOODS
Dr. Arttu Luukanen
Senior Vice President, Space & Defense, Solar Foods
Impact Canada and the Deep Space Food Challenge
Learn how the Government of Canada works through Impact Canada to innovate solutions to economic, environmental, and social problems, and how these methods supported CSA’s execution of the Deep Space Food Challenge. Audience will also view the virtual CSA Winners’ Announcement featuring Retired CSA Astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield.
5:20 - 5:30
Julie Greene
Senior Lead, Impact Canada Challenges
DSFC AWARDS CEREMONY
Join us as we announce the winners of the US and International Deep Space Food Challenge and award up to $1,500,000. This ceremony will be livestreamed on the NASA Prize Facebook page and NASA360’s Vimeo page.
5:30 - 6:30
6:30 - 9:00
Celebration Happy Hour @
Land Grant Brewery
WINNER’S ANNOUNCEMENT
Join us as we announce the winners of the US and International Deep Space Food Challenge and award up to $1,500,000 in NASA Prizes for Phase 3.
Meet the Solvers
Join us for a series of in-depth presentations featuring US and International teams from Phase 3 of the Deep Space Food Challenge, as they present revolutionary food systems designed for long-duration Moon and Mars missions.
TEAM INTERSTELLAR LAB
Barbara Belvisi
Founder and CEO, Interstellar Lab
NUCLEUS is a modular bioregenerative system that produces fresh microgreens, vegetables, mushrooms, and insects to provide micronutrients for long-term space missions.
TEAM SATED
Jim Sears
CEO, Ascent Technologies
SATED (Safe Appliance, Tidy, Efficient & Delicious) is an appliance that will allow astronauts to prepare custom meals from scratch ingredients in zero and low gravity environments.
TEAM NOLUX
Dr. Robert Jinkerson
Assistant Professor, PI
University of California, Riverside
Nolux has developed an artificial photosynthetic system that is capable of producing plant- and fungal-based foods independent of biological photosynthesis.
TEAM SOLAR FOODS
Dr. Arttu Luukanen
SVP, Space & Defence,
Solar Foods
Solar Foods has developed a novel food production system utilizing single-cell protein production by means of gas fermentation.
TEAM ENIGMA OF THE COSMOS
Nadun Hennayaka
Founder & CEO,
Gaia Project Australia
Enigma of the Cosmos has developed an adaptive leafy and microgreen production that dynamically adjusts grow area to plant needs, increasing space efficiency by at least 40%.
TEAM KERNEL DELTECH
Dr. Pablo de León
President, De Leon Technologies LLC
The Kernel Food Production System autonomously produces inactivated fungal biomass using continuous cultivation, and is designed for low-gravity environments to maximize yield and safety.
Summit Hosts
NASA’s Centennial Challenges stand at the forefront of space exploration and technology by fostering innovation that can enhance space and aeronautical activities. NASA is committed to advancing knowledge and innovation for the betterment of humanity.
Methuselah Foundation is a biomedical charity that accelerates scientific breakthroughs that extend the healthy human lifespan, including gerotherapeutic and regenerative medicine approaches. As NASA's Allied Organization, it proudly administrates the Deep Space Food Challenge.
The Ohio State University stands as a pillar of research and education, driving progress in various fields, including agriculture, food technology, and space habitation. Co-hosting the DSFC Phase 3 demonstrations underscores its commitment to innovation and global well-being.
Register for the Symposium
Please RSVP by August 10, 2024
*Please note that OSU Facility Tours, Knowledge Sharing Session, and The Future of Food @ FYR are invitation only. Apply for attendance by checking the respective box and we will accommodate where possible.