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Raising sea bass on the moon might be on the podium if we were to compile a list of random items. But this isn’t a joke; we didn’t make it up. Some scientists in France are keeping sea bass in a fish farm with the intention of sending their progeny to the Moon, while many people still dream of dining in luxury on Mars.
Armstrong would likely believe that the European Space Agency (ESA) staff had gone crazy if we informed him that someone would suggest delivering live sea bass to the Moon years after he survived on freeze-dried food during his space voyage. However, they haven’t. Future space colonies would mostly rely on fish as their protein supply, according to the French CNES.
Is that unrealistic? Indeed. Reasonable? Perhaps as well. In extremely remote locations, the goal is to ensure that food is wholesome, fresh, and particularly sustainable. Known as Lunar Hatch, the idea was introduced in Palavas-les-Flots. We will tell you all about it!
Sea bass for dinner on the Moon
Yes, we are aware of your shock. The Lunar Hatch project aims to do more than simply determine whether fish can survive in zero gravity. In order to feed personnel on the Moon and eliminate their dependency on shipments from Earth, it goes a step further and seeks to establish a self-sufficient and particularly sustainable fish farm.
But why sea bass?
Unbelievably, this animal wasn’t picked at random. The nutritional profile of sea bass is excellent; they are easy to digest and high in omega-3, vitamin B, and vital proteins that help maintain muscular mass, which is important in microgravity circumstances when muscles deteriorate more quickly.
rearing fish in a closed ecosystem that can recycle water, doesn’t produce waste, and can support life on its own for several months is more difficult than simply rearing fish. An estimated 200 active sea bass would be required in that system to provide two servings each week to seven astronauts.
From the lab to orbit (and then to the Moon)
Naturally, this research is still in its early phases. However, the objective is to launch fertilized eggs into space, observe how they develop, and ascertain whether they can endure, hatch, and develop in a gravity-free environment. Before trying to duplicate the technique on the Moon, the initial tests will be conducted on the International Space Station (ISS), where their development will be tracked.
These frozen eggs might be the first step toward a sea bass farm on the moon after their behavior is examined. Fresh sea bass with freeze-dried rice might be served to astronauts in place of dehydrated crickets or gelatine cubes, as was the case on the Apollo missions. It sounds so much better, doesn’t it?
Why hasn t this been done before?
Fish in space have a long history. NASA sent a few little mummichogs on an Apollo mission in 1973. Zebra fish have also aided in the study of muscle atrophy in microgravity in recent years. However, fish had never been grown for food or sustainability over the long term.
Lunar Hatch is unique in that its focus is on long-term survival rather than fundamental science. It is insufficient to grow lettuce or recycle air in order to build sustained human colonies on the Moon or Mars. There is a requirement for animal protein, and fish appears to be a healthy and practical choice.
And if it works?
Lunar Hatch may be a watershed in space feeding if the findings are encouraging. It would help create self-sustaining habitats beyond Earth in addition to enabling astronauts to vary their food. Naturally, they are already discussing potential future Mars colonization missions.
The first shipment to the Moon has not yet been given a specific date, but the scientists are optimistic. If all goes according to plan, the first lunar sea bass might be born before the end of the decade. The experiment on Earth is currently under way, and the eggs will shortly be sent to the ISS. What do you think of space fish?
