Why Space?

• Little gravity
• Extreme conditions through space exposure
• Unique vantage point
• Limitless inspiration

Space and microgravity allow for a better understanding of stress mechanisms of plants and plants adaptation to a new environment never before experienced. Better understanding on plant growth and plant stressors may allow for new varieties more resistant to climate change or to increased plant yield.

Indoor growing technologies and better vertical agriculture techniques can be tested in a space environment and can serve both terrestrial as well as space solutions. The unique vantage point of space and Low Earth Orbit provides the agricultural community unique perspectives on sustainable crop production and water usage.

The Earth data from Space can help precision agriculture, food production and food waste management. Digitalization and access of the food system via space through Big Data, AI, IoT can allow for a demand-driven and resource efficient food production and for increasing traceability. Or does space inspire new solutions such as 3D food printing or cellular agriculture, also relevant for extreme environment outposts and expeditions, on Earth and in Space?

The weightlessness environment of space allows for the formulation of novel and smart materials. Space stimulates manufacturing processes which cannot be achieved on earth, for example for fiber optics, alloys or carbon nanotubes. Knowledge for earth-based advanced processes such as for metal casting or coating is established in space.

Additive manufacturing and 3D printing in space are crucial for the future of space and will inspire applications also for Earth. Robotics and automation needed in space will inspire the factories of the future on Earth. The use of Earth Observation data from space has been used by the mining industry to identify geological features and can also be used for logistic chains or extraction operations.