How will people feed themselves when they begin living beyond Earth?
Establishing sustainable communities on the Moon, Mars or in orbital habitats will require much more than simply transporting food from our planet. We will need to understand how plants, soil, microorganisms, water and nutrients behave under increased radiation, reduced gravity and within closed life-support systems.
Professor Nigel Mason will introduce the fascinating field of space agriculture and explain how growing food beyond Earth brings together molecular physics, chemistry, biology, planetary science and engineering. He will also show how research intended to support future life in space could help us develop more resilient, efficient and sustainable agriculture here on Earth.
The lecture will be held in English, and admission is free and open to everyone.