Overview
- The HOBI‑WAN project, part of ESA’s Terrae Novae programme, will evaluate on‑orbit manufacturing of Solar Foods’ Solein protein.
- Solein is produced by gas fermentation using airborne microbes, with urea from urine proposed as the nitrogen source in space rather than ammonia used on Earth.
- Engineers will first run an eight‑month ground‑based science model before moving to flight hardware manufacturing, testing, and launch.
- Researchers will assess how microgravity alters the behavior of gases and liquids, which could affect nutrient and gas transport for the microbes.
- Solar Foods will work with prime contractor OHB System AG, with the goal of reducing reliance on Earth resupply for long‑duration missions.