What is NASA's 'Mars to Table' competition?

It's a global contest asking participants to design a food system for growing food on Mars.

How much prize money can participants win in the Mars to Table competition?

U.S. citizens can win up to $750,000 for their innovative Martian food system proposals.

When are the proposals due for NASA's Mars food challenge?

Proposals for the 'Mars to Table' competition must be submitted by August 21.

Home / Science / NASA Seeks Mars Farmers: $750K Prize for Red Planet Food Plan

NASA Seeks Mars Farmers: $750K Prize for Red Planet Food Plan

13 Jan

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Summary

NASA is running a competition to develop a Martian food system.
Winners could receive up to $750,000 for their innovative plans.
The challenge aims to support future missions to Mars and Earth.

NASA Seeks Mars Farmers: $750K Prize for Red Planet Food Plan

NASA is inviting global participation in its 'Mars to Table' competition, a contest designed to pioneer food production systems for future astronauts on Mars. The agency is offering a substantial prize of $750,000 to U.S. citizens who can develop effective strategies for cultivating food on the Red Planet. This initiative seeks to address the significant nutritional and logistical challenges of sustaining human life beyond Earth.

The competition emphasizes resource efficiency and resilience, aiming to create food systems that can operate reliably in extreme environments, thereby reducing reliance on Earth-based supply chains. Organizers highlighted that the solutions developed could also offer valuable approaches to tackling food scarcity and sustainability challenges on Earth, bridging the gap between space exploration and terrestrial needs.