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INNOVATION IN PRACTICE
The Future of Food Off-World and On: The Artemis Generation
The lens of space habitation is driving innovation in Australian agricultural sustainability and new opportunities for bioproduction.
By Professor Matthew Gilliham
2024 saw the establishment of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S); a multi-disci- plinary, international research consortium head- quartered in Adelaide and led by Australian talent in South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. With over 175 members connected across plant sci- ence, nutrition, food science, engineering, psychol- ogy, and space law, we are united under a common purpose: to pave the way for off-Earth habitation while enhancing the sustainability and sovereignty of our local food and biomanufacturing sectors. Funded by the Australian Research Council until 2031, P4S is developing innovative solutions that harness the life-supporting power of plants. Specific research aims include the production of nutrient rich, highly efficient plants, nutritionally fortified plant-based foods, and space-ready func- tional materials and pharmaceuticals. P4S projects also explore the cutting edge of gene technology, working towards optimised zero-waste plant pro- duction in controlled environments. Space has a track record of stimulating innov- ation that translates to our benefit here on Earth. For agriculture and biomanufacturing specific-
As NASA’s Artemis program advances from short- term orbital missions toward a sustained human presence on the Moon, biological life support sys- tems are emerging as critical enablers of long-dur- ation exploration. Whilst these off-planet aspirations may feel like a world away for the everyday Austral- ian, they are providing us with the opportunity to accelerate research that will advance sustainable production here on Earth. Some time ago, I wrote here about Australia’s potential to lead in high-value sustainable agricul- tural production while helping to deliver critical space exploration milestones on the global stage. I am pleased to share that the intersection of space and agriculture continues to grow and propel Aus- tralian-led impact forward. “In this new Artemis era, Australia is stepping up as a valued partner — bringing world‑class expertise, innovative technologies, and a long history of space collaboration to help NASA achieve its goals.” - Australian Space Agency, 2026
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