The Future of Space Food for Astronauts Could be Human Excrement (Faeces)

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Solid human waste is despicable to say the least. Not only does human waste reek of foul stench; human excrement is not a pleasant sight, as it represents a function of the convoluted intestinal metabolism that takes place in our gut – which culminates into the release of our body’s waste.

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No matter how refined we might be as individuals or how advanced we might be per culture, natures droppings are non-negotiable. We must always go number one and number two – no contesting that.

However, a question which seeks clarification is, “how do you feel about your poop?” (Lolz…A weird question, I bet)

Human excrement before now, had been of no use whatsoever, other than being what it is – a waste. The only importance feces served before now was perhaps for agricultural purpose; as per manure for crop growth.

But then, do you think your poop can be recycled into something edible? Well, if your answer was ‘NO’, then perhaps you missed the title of this post.

Well, allow me to politely inform you that human poop is now considered as edible food, especially for space men and women.

A recent innovative and bizarre scientific advancement has seen scientists come up with a method that can turn human waste into a sustainable, edible and space-friendly food.

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Human Excrement now edible food

Like we know these days, science keeps stunning us with amazing discoveries and research outcome. And one of the rather bizarre discoveries has shown that the new method of ‘shit’ conversion to food involves filtering human excrement until we are left with proteins and fat from it. The end product is seen as nutritious “microbial goo”, with the aim of feeding astronauts deep in space journey.

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A Plus for Science

The new development means space journey just became a little less burdensome, less heavy and less tasking; as more rooms and space can be saved on space shuttles and energy for producing food anew can be conserved in the International Space Station (I.S.S).

The weird aspect, however, is that the innovation hinges on human ‘crap’….as in, literal human ‘shit’.

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The Strange Research

A microbe researcher, Christopher House, with the Pennsylvania State University, has proven with his study that human excrement is highly economical, and suited to the purpose of astronauts in space.

The procedure involved is known as “anaerobic digestion",” and it has been used for years in the treatment of waste. But then, this will be the first recorded instance, where human feces would be recycled into edible food.

The process of taking sufficient food for astronauts in space aboard space shuttles consumes lots of space and weight. Also, growing food in space isn’t exactly an easy task either; as the biological process involved consumes a huge amount of water and energy which can be channeled into other essential needs.

According to Christopher House;

“We envisioned and tested the concept of simultaneously treating astronauts’ waste with microbes while producing a biomass that is edible either directly or indirectly, depending on safety concerns. It’s a little strange, but the concept would be a little bit like Marmite or Vegemite, where you’re eating a smear of ‘microbial goo.’”

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How Waste is conventionally disposed of, in space

Traditional space expeditions require astronauts to efficiently and ethically dispose of their nature’s dropping with hygiene and their immediate environment in mind.

Urine from astronaut is processed by extracting water from the urinal compound, as the International Space Station. Solid waste deposits however, is released into space to be destroyed by the atmosphere.

Still expatiating on the highlights of the new procedure, Christopher House said;

“Imagine if someone were to fine-tune our system so that you could get 85 percent of the carbon and nitrogen back from waste into protein without having to use hydroponics or artificial light. That would be a fantastic development for deep-space travel. It’s faster than growing tomatoes or potatoes

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Conclusion

The new and rather unappealing method of waste recycling hasn’t been perfected well-enough for the most recent space sojourns, but Professor House and his team of researchers are confident that the procedure would be the future of space food, for astronauts.

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Reference: r1, r2, r3, r4, r5

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