"The Day 'Insects' Come to the Cosmic Kitchen": Looks Like Powder, Actually Insects: The Food Design Revolution Begins on Spacecraft

1) "Space Food × Insects" is Becoming a Reality

On November 7 (local time), an explanation from ESA was published on Phys.org. The main point is clear—Insects are lightweight, durable, highly nutritious, and can convert organic waste that humans cannot eat into protein, acting as "mini livestock." They are being reevaluated as a stable supply source for long-term missions. Experimental findings have accumulated, showing that many species develop and behave without significant disruption even in microgravity, indicating they are "quite resilient" to the space environment. Phys.org

2) What Makes Them "Suitable for Space"?

The strengths of insects can be summarized into three points.

• Resource Efficiency: High feed conversion efficiency and low water usage. They can easily recycle plant residues and food leftovers on board as feed.

• Nutrition: Crickets and mealworms contain high-quality protein, fatty acids, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, with many indicators comparable to meat and fish.

• Ease of Handling: Their small size and short generation time make them suitable for automated breeding systems.
  These points can be decisive for incorporating them as "members of the ecosystem" in the closed environments of spacecraft or lunar bases. Phys.org

3) The Candidates: Crickets and Mealworms

The "regulars" in space food research are the European house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Both have been approved for sale and consumption in the EU as of 2023. ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti brought a blueberry cereal bar with cricket powder on her 2022 mission. When powdered, they can be easily blended into familiar foods like bread, pasta, and crackers. European Space Agency

4) Experiments Are "Still Midway"

Review papers point out that data on the space biology of insects is fragmentary by species and that observation periods are short. Most studies were conducted from the 1960s to 2000s, focusing on parabolic flights (a few minutes of weightlessness) or stays of less than 50 days, leaving the entire life cycle and the long-term effects on immunity and physiology unexplored. However, there are positive signs, such as the possibility of completing development and metamorphosis and partial confirmation of reproduction. The next steps involve designing and verifying full-generation breeding and automated breeding cassettes in orbit. Frontiers

5) "Living Organism Achievements" in Space: From Flies to Tardigrades

In 1947, the first living organism to go to space and return alive was the fruit fly. Subsequently, ants demonstrated the ability to cling to surfaces even in microgravity, while stick insects struggled with movement, radiation, and reproduction. ESA's famous **"tardigrade experiment" (2007) demonstrated their "survivability" against vacuum and cosmic rays. Research on fruit flies aboard the ISS suggested effects on the central nervous system, with reports that artificial gravity may have partial protective effects. European Space Agency

6) Reactions on Social Media: The "Twist" of Reason and Emotion

When ESA introduced this on social media, the timeline was largely divided. Based on posts observed by the author and past consumer surveys, the following "types" are visible.

• Excited Group: "The cycle from waste to protein is a trump card for space," "Can reduce logistics risks."

• Realist Group: "What about odor management, hygiene, and cross-contamination on board?" "Allergen (cross with crustaceans) measures are essential."

• Disgusted Group: "Can't handle the appearance," "Unacceptable as a food culture."

• Practical Solution Group: "Mix it into bars or noodles as powder," "Introduce it gradually from livestock and pet food."
  In fact, a 2025 study showed that **the appeal of "sustainability" hardly boosted purchase intent**, with the photo (powder or chip) on the package and prior consumption experience influencing acceptability. A UK survey also indicated that **the "disgust" barrier** was the main reason, with powdered forms being more acceptable. In other words, even if scientific rationality accumulates, unless appearance and experience design change, social implementation will not progress. Phys.org

7) Translating into Mission Requirements

From the perspective of closed-loop systems (CELSS/BLSS), insects contribute to the short-cycle of "waste→feed→protein powder." The design package consists of the following three points.

1. Breeding Module: Sealed cassette + automatic feeding, temperature and humidity control, and molting shell collection.

2. Processing: Heat sterilization→drying→grinding→aseptic packaging.

3. Menu Integration: Start with 10–20% blending into pasta, bread, soup, and supply bars (threshold verification of taste and texture).
   Verification order is long-term on Earth→low orbit (>100 days)→lunar orbit and surface. It is practical to run allergen management and sensory evaluation in parallel, focusing on rapid nutritional replenishment before EVA (high-protein bars) as a use case.

8) Enhancing Acceptance with "Visual UX"

• Powder Assumption: Start with "invisible insects." Mix into existing menus with taste unchanged.

• Changing Names: Reframe meaning associations with terms like "micro protein" or "orbital protein" instead of "cricket."

• Memorable Experience: Create stories around crew "favorite recipes" (develop "winning strategies" for sauces, spices, and textures).

• Transparency: Visualize nutritional information and hygiene processes to preemptively alleviate concerns.
  This direction is suggested by both experiments and consumer research. Phys.org

9) Current Conclusion: "Not Yet on the Official Menu"

ESA itself clearly states, "Not on the menu—yet." However, in closed environments unsuitable for livestock, there are not many options that simultaneously meet low cost, space-saving, and high nutrition. In the coming years, if long-term trials of full-generation breeding and automation of onboard processing progress, and if food design that surpasses the "appearance issue" is established, insects could become a regular staple ingredient rather than the "last emergency food." European Space Agency