Overview
- ESA has begun the study phase under its Terrae Novae programme to evaluate in-space production of Solein, a dried protein made via gas fermentation.
- The first eight months focus on a ground-based science model, with flight hardware proceeding only if performance and safety targets are met.
- The bioreactor feeds hydrogen-oxidizing Xanthobacter with hydrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide, using urea as the nitrogen source to suit spacecraft operations.
- Engineers are developing sealed gas-cartridge delivery and autonomous control to manage hydrogen and oxygen safely in microgravity, drawing on OHB’s ISS safety certification experience.
- The planned ISS experiment is designed to fit a standard middeck locker with an incubator, sensors, control units and sampling tools for astronaut-operated extractions.