Introduction

In an unprecedented venture, the Australian company FOODiQ Global is set to make history by attempting to grow mushrooms in space for the very first time! This groundbreaking experiment, aptly named Mission MushVroom, is poised to take place during the Fram2 mission, which launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on April 1, 2025.

The Mission

Mission MushVroom will see astronauts closely monitoring the growth of oyster mushrooms in the microgravity environment of space. This experiment is essential as it aims to determine the feasibility of cultivating food in space, specifically for long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The Importance of Food in Space

As space missions continue to evolve, ensuring a reliable and nutritious food source is critical. In fact, NASA has identified food and nutrition as a significant challenge, ranking it as the 11th Civil Space Shortfall priority out of more than 180 issues to address.

Meet the Team

Leading the ambitious experiment is Dr. Flávia Fayet-Moore, a prominent Australian scientist and CEO of FOODiQ Global. She emphasizes that mushrooms are outstanding candidates for space crops. "Oyster mushrooms double in size every day and boast an impressive nutrient profile," she explains.

Nutritional Benefits of Mushrooms

Adding to their benefits, these mushrooms provide astronauts with their entire daily dose of vitamin D when exposed to UV light, potentially using this method to eliminate the need for some current supplements on the International Space Station.

Flavor and Adaptability of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are particularly appealing for space food systems because they retain their flavor even in microgravity conditions, where taste perception can diminish. The unique umami flavor of mushrooms may help counteract the blandness often experienced by astronauts.

Sustainable Food Practices

Furthermore, oyster mushrooms are highly adaptable and can grow using 100% of inedible plant waste—or even cotton t-shirts—efficiently utilizing resources that would otherwise go to waste.

Collaboration with lifecykel

FOODiQ Global is teaming up with lifecykel, an Australian biotechnology firm renowned for its innovative sustainable fungi cultivation practices, to provide the mushrooms for the experiment.

The Role of Eric Philips

The mission will be further thrilled by the participation of Australian polar adventurer and guide Eric Philips, who has been appointed to lead the experiment in space, marking a first for Australians in orbit.

Expert Insights

Joining as the Co-Investigator for the project is Ralph Fritsche, who brings extensive expertise from his tenure as NASA’s former space crop production and exploration food systems project manager.

Launch Information

Launched from the iconic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Fram2 mission is historic as the first human spaceflight to orbit Earth’s polar regions.

Conclusion

As humanity pushes further into the cosmos, projects like Mission MushVroom could unlock new possibilities not only for astronauts but also for solving terrestrial food security challenges.