Russian scientists developed model of lunar mushroom farm

Researchers at the Siberian Federal University have proposed a model for interplanetary station modules enabling cosmonauts to be supplied with mushrooms, an important product from the recommended diet – as reported by RIA Novosti

A serious problem of modern cosmonautics is the provision of astronauts with food. Most often, ready-made food is delivered to orbit from Earth: each crew member needs an average of about 1.5kg of food per day. However, this format is not suitable for long-term space ‘trips’. Therefore, the task of equipping farms with plant foods is relevant: within the framework of the renewed lunar programme of the Russian Federation it’s planned to build basic infrastructure on the Moon by 2035-2040. The arrangement of a habitable space station implies the construction of a room for growing food directly on board.

Scientists of the Siberian Federal University – together with colleagues from the Institute of Biophysics of the Siberian Branch at the Russian Academy of Sciences – have developed a farm project where it is possible to effectively cultivate oyster mushrooms with a maximum effective yield of about 300 grams per day per 1sq.m of sown area.

Oyster mushrooms contain a large amount of protein and some vitamins. They are unpretentious, and the cultivation technology is quite simple and feasible without violating sanitary and hygienic standards. These mushrooms also contain a significant amount of antioxidants that soften the effects of charged particles on astronauts.

“It should be borne in mind that the physical conditions on the Moon and Earth are significantly different: on the Moon, gravity is about 6 times less and there is no dipole magnetic field. It is necessary to test the cultivation of oyster mushrooms using a small climatic chamber on the Moon,” explained Sergei Trifonov, Associate Professor of the Department of Biophysics at the Siberian Federal University.

One technological cycle for growing oyster mushrooms lasts 66 days. When the farm is fully loaded, it’s necessary to use 86kg of plant waste as a substrate, from which 28kg of mushrooms can be obtained in two months, meeting the needs of 14 crew members.