Astrobiotechnology: Farming the Cosmos

A picture that was drawn to depict the future of Space Agriculture. (An article from Universe Wiki)

Technology based off of life on earth, being used in outer space? Seems questionable.  Even though biotechnology getting used in space seems unlikely, it is actually essential for deep space agriculture. One type of biotechnology is able to modify plants for better survival in micro gravity and extreme conditions which allows for the possibility of food being grown in space, as well as the moon or different habitable planets. A specific example of this innovation being used is in the removal of toxins, such as solanine, in potatoes. Another example is the improvement of plant resilience against salts in extraterrestrial land so plants can thrive. 

Space agriculture is crucial when talking about the future of humanity and the talk about inhabiting potentially habitable planets. Futuristic space travel has already been a high talk of society and a key part of achieving these goals is being able to sustain humans wherever they may end up. Food is a necessity no matter where society plans to go, which means that growing it must be the first priority in the plans for expansion in space. Since plants are essential for life no matter the area, the biologic engineering of plants is crucial to further space exploration.

What is Microbial Biotechnology?

Microbial technology uses plant-associated microbes to help boost crop immunity and facilitate the absorption of essential nutrients while also regulating stress on plants. Microbes are the metabolic powerhouses that run our planet; they break down decay and drive nutrient cycles. Some of the main types are bacteria, virus, fungi, archaea and protists. Microbial technology alters certain genes of these microbes better suiting them to harsh conditions allowing for plants to thrive in other planets and their conditions and gravities as well as the space travel itself. This is similar to how CASPR is used to genetically modify plants on Earth to last longer and have more preferable phenotypes. By utilizing the research from technology that already exists to modify plants on earth, scientists are able to further a development to prepare plants for the desolate and harsh environment that is space. 

To conclude, space exploration can only occur due to the presence of biotechnology in space agriculture. Biotechnology is the only way to make plants instantly be able to adapt to a new environment without the need of centuries to pass and slow paced evolution to naturally occur on these plants. Although concerns are present, the thirst of exploration and the role of these bioengineered plants overtake these concerns and exchange them as a vital entity.

References

Crew Studies Space Agriculture, Biotechnology to Promote Future Missions. (2025, February 11). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/ 02/11/crew-studies-space-agriculture-biotechnology/ 

National Library of Medicine. (2022, April 5). What are microbes? Nih.gov; Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279387/ 

Nidhi Sharath. (2025, October 17). The Role of Biotechnology in Space Exploration. STEM·E. https://www.steme.org/post/biotechnology-space- exploration 

Paola. (2023, December 11). 5 reasons you should study Space Biotechnology - Universe. Universe. https://universe.wiki/2023/12/11/5-reasons-why-you-should-study-space-biotechnology/