NASA intends to put the first man on Mars in the 2030’s. But once he’s there, what will he have for lunch?
Perhaps veggies grown in a BioPod.
This incredible new device from startup Interstellar Lab could finally allow us to cultivate crops in space. It could also revolutionize agriculture here on Earth.
The BioPod is an inflatable dome about 20 feet wide, 33 feet long, and 15 feet tall. It uses aeroponics, precision nutrient delivery, and careful climate control to produce the ideal growing environment for plants.
This means it can grow high value crops like flowers and microgreens. It can even grow plants that can’t be grown with traditional agriculture, like vanilla.
It’s also remarkably efficient, reducing water consumption by 98% while boosting yields up to 300-fold.
The BioPod is designed not just to feed humans in space, but on an increasingly unpredictable Earth. From a recent interview:
“Climate change is a real emergency for Earth, and we only have a small window to bring about positive change. We are developing a new framework for sustainable living on Earth and a testbed for future space missions,” Barbara Belvisi, Founder and CEO, Interstellar Lab said.
The BioPod is currently in production. You can even pre-order one now!
But at $250,000 each plus a monthly subscription fee, it’s a bit out of reach for most gardeners. Oh, and shipping’s not included.
However, if the BioPod can reduce inputs and boost yields as radically as Interstellar claims, I could see rapid adoption in the agriculture industry.
Already, companies like Bowery Farming are taking agriculture from farms to urban warehouses using hydroponics. They seem like a natural customer for Interstellar Lab, and I’m sure there are many more.
Long term, perhaps the BioPod will be deployed on Mars to support astronauts brought there by a SpaceX Starship. It’s a beautiful future I look forward to.
In the mean time, I’m itching to try a BioPod salad! 🙂
What do you think of the BioPod? Would you try its food?
Leave a comment at the bottom and let me know.
Have a great day everyone! 👋
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