We can mine asteroids for space food

Overall concept: asteroid-to-food pathways

• Thread treats the paper largely as a thought experiment in turning asteroid CHON (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen) into edible biomass via microbes.
• Core mechanism discussed: pyrolyze asteroid organics → feed resulting compounds to microbial consortia (bacteria, fungi, algae) → use microbial biomass as food or as feedstock for higher-order agriculture.

Feasibility, mass, and energy

• Several comments highlight the paper’s estimate: 5,000–160,000 metric tons of asteroid per astronaut per year, implying 14–438 tons/day of processed material per person.
• Many see these numbers as prohibitive unless recycling is nearly complete; others note that steady-state needs would be much lower once a closed ecosystem is built and biomass is recycled.
• Concerns raised about massive energy demands for melting ice and running reactors in space; counters point out that concentrated sunlight and abundant solar energy could help.

Alternatives: recycling and farming

• Strong argument that the main comparison should be asteroid → food vs. recycling CO₂, water, and waste back into food in a closed loop.
• ISS-style high water recycling is cited; many expect full recycling and modular manufacturing to be harder than food itself but ultimately necessary.
• Hydroponics and vertical farming are discussed: technically workable but currently expensive and energy-intensive; disease management and economics on Earth remain challenging.

Nutrition, psychology, and “sludge food”

• Multiple comments note that while algae/microbial sludge or synthetic mash could meet macro- and micronutrient needs, long-term morale and mental health may suffer from monotonous, unpalatable diets.
• Fiber requirements and the role of gut bacteria are discussed; waste recycling is seen as compatible with maintaining dietary fiber via plant or microbial sources.

Ethics and synthetic food

• Extensive side discussion on veganism, plant vs. animal suffering, and “mineral” or fully synthetic food as a way to avoid harming any organisms.
• Some see asteroid-derived, non-biotic food as ethically attractive (and compatible with veganism); others argue that over cosmic timescales, atoms likely have been part of life anyway, so absolute guarantees are impossible.

Economic and strategic considerations

• Comments suggest asteroid/comet ices may be more valuable than metals for space industry.
• Skepticism that such systems will arrive soon; some view this as “ultra-processed” food and worry more urgent Earth problems (e.g., climate) risk being overshadowed by speculative space projects.