Create a challenge that, if solved, would incentivize the creation or advancement of solutions for real-time monitoring, detecting, testing for and/or reporting food quality and/or the presence of pathogens that could result in illness.
Focus on defining the problem, not solving it. The solution topic you create will be the focus of student innovation efforts in the next 18 months.
Understanding why this matters helps you see the bigger picture and focus your topic on challenges that align with NASA’s mission.
Food is a critical component for any human-crewed missions beyond Earth. Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) depend mainly on pre-packaged, shelf-stable foods, with some fresh foods provided in resupply and cargo missions. Because the foods are pre-packaged on Earth in a controlled environment, safety of that food can be guaranteed. As missions move further from Earth, the astronauts will begin to rely more on producing their own food through systems such as plant, crop and fungal growth, bio culture foods, and 3D food printing.
Providing the astronauts with a variety of food options and involving them in production, harvesting, preparing and cooking can also lift morale, give them opportunities to bond, and offer a “taste of home”. Although this is valuable, this also creates opportunities to accidentally introduce contaminants into the food and the food system. Preventive processes and procedures will be established as part of the safety plans for these technologies, however, final confirmation that the food is safe to consume will still be needed.
Each type of food system poses challenges, specifically when it comes to determining the safety of the food for the astronauts to eat. Methods and technologies for monitoring, detecting, testing and reporting need to be further developed to ensure that a safety failure in one part of the system, doesn’t affect the sustainability of the entire system or result in the failure of an entire crop or supply of food.
For Earth, new and/or improved technologies, systems and approaches to these same areas of food safety could help mitigate the risk of contamination and illness in places like grocery stores, restaurants and individual homes.
These top three core requirements for success highlight the key factors your solution topic should address to help us build the foundation for monitoring, detecting, testing and reporting, while also offering solutions that can benefit us here on Earth today.
Continuous monitoring and accurate detection, analysis, and determination of the quality of the food and the presence of pathogens in the food and/or food systems in real-time; minimizing delays caused by standard testing.
Be adaptable for use in different contexts that vary in distance and difficulty, including on Earth, in low-Earth orbit, on extended lunar surface missions, and eventually Mars and deep space missions.
Continuous improvement through machine learning, understanding the deterioration of food quality for consumption, adapting to new and evolving pathogens over time, and updating existing risk databases.
Continuous monitoring and accurate detection, analysis, and determination of the quality of the food and the presence of pathogens in the food and/or food systems in real-time; minimizing delays caused by standard testing.
Continuous improvement through machine learning, understanding the deterioration of food quality for consumption, adapting to new and evolving pathogens over time, and updating existing risk databases.
Be adaptable for use in different contexts that vary in distance and difficulty, including on Earth, in low-Earth orbit, on extended lunar surface missions, and eventually Mars and deep space missions.
How does your topic create meaningful change? The most compelling solution topics bridge the needs of Earth and the demands of space, offering scalable, impactful answers to humanity's biggest challenges. Before diving into feasibility, consider how your topic can shape the world today while paving the way for tomorrow.
Is your topic realistic? Even the most transformative ideas need to be grounded in feasibility. This is about asking the practical questions. Great solution topics are ambitious but achievable within a defined scope.
Can measurable progress be made within 18 months?
Does it rely on existing tools and technology, or those likely available by 2027?
Is your topic specific, focused, and actionable?
Is it practical within budget, manpower, and material constraints?
Can it be scaled for use across regions or contexts?
Does it address a real-world problem with the potential for meaningful impact?
Food safety technologies have the potential to significantly improve the way we manage and monitor food production, distribution, and consumption on Earth. By leveraging advanced systems for real-time monitoring, predictive analysis, and automated safety checks, we can enhance the quality and safety of food, reduce waste, and prevent contamination. Developing these technologies now will not only protect consumers but also create more efficient, resilient food systems for the future, ensuring safer, more sustainable food practices worldwide.