Microbial biomanufacturing for space-exploration—what to take and when to make

Nils J. H. Averesch (), Aaron J. Berliner (), Shannon N. Nangle (), Spencer Zezulka, Gretchen L. Vengerova, Davian Ho, Cameran A. Casale, Benjamin A. E. Lehner, Jessica E. Snyder, Kevin B. Clark, Lewis R. Dartnell, Craig S. Criddle and Adam P. Arkin
Additional contact information
Nils J. H. Averesch: Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
Aaron J. Berliner: Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
Shannon N. Nangle: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University
Spencer Zezulka: Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
Gretchen L. Vengerova: Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
Davian Ho: Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
Cameran A. Casale: Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
Benjamin A. E. Lehner: Delft University of Technology
Jessica E. Snyder: Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
Kevin B. Clark: Cures Within Reach
Lewis R. Dartnell: University of Westminster
Craig S. Criddle: Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
Adam P. Arkin: Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract As renewed interest in human space-exploration intensifies, a coherent and modernized strategy for mission design and planning has become increasingly crucial. Biotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to increase resilience, flexibility, and efficiency of missions, by virtue of its ability to effectively utilize in situ resources and reclaim resources from waste streams. Here we outline four primary mission-classes on Moon and Mars that drive a staged and accretive biomanufacturing strategy. Each class requires a unique approach to integrate biomanufacturing into the existing mission-architecture and so faces unique challenges in technology development. These challenges stem directly from the resources available in a given mission-class—the degree to which feedstocks are derived from cargo and in situ resources—and the degree to which loop-closure is necessary. As mission duration and distance from Earth increase, the benefits of specialized, sustainable biomanufacturing processes also increase. Consequentially, we define specific design-scenarios and quantify the usefulness of in-space biomanufacturing, to guide techno-economics of space-missions. Especially materials emerged as a potentially pivotal target for biomanufacturing with large impact on up-mass cost. Subsequently, we outline the processes needed for development, testing, and deployment of requisite technologies. As space-related technology development often does, these advancements are likely to have profound implications for the creation of a resilient circular bioeconomy on Earth.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37910-1

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