Sugar-growing bacteria ready for launch

Sugar-growing bacteria ready for launch

A team at NASA’s Ames Research Centre, lead by Lynn Rothschild, have been looking at finding appealing ways to make food in space.

The first time there will be new tests on this in space will be in 2017, when genetically modified bacteria will be sent up on a German satellite. This test will see whether the bacteria can survive the launch and cosmic radiation, and then if it can function under reduced gravity. It will then spin for six months at a speed one-third of that on Earth.

If successful it is hoped that the sugar could be used not just as food, but as fuel also.

 

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