Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and DASSAI are preparing to send a unique rice fermentation experiment to the International Space Station (ISS), with the ambitious goal of brewing sake on the Moon. While sushi is not yet served in lunar dining, the companies are laying the groundwork for a future where sake could accompany meals on extraterrestrial missions.
The need for improved space cuisine has been highlighted by the unappetizing meals historically provided to astronauts. Dehydrated foods and bland snacks have been the norm, which can dampen morale during long missions. As plans for permanent lunar bases and Mars expeditions evolve, the importance of food, particularly beverages, becomes increasingly significant.
To address this challenge, the DASSAI MOON Project aims to explore the feasibility of brewing sake using rice imported from Earth and water sourced from lunar ice. Given the high costs associated with transporting sake to the Moon, developing a brewing method in situ is a logical solution.
The experiment is set to launch on October 21 aboard JAXA”s first HTV-X cargo resupply vehicle. It will include a fermentation vat and centrifuge designed to simulate lunar gravity, housed within the Cell Biology Experiment Facility-Light (CBEF-L) of Japan”s Kibō module on the ISS. This intricate brewing process is unique due to its reliance on parallel multiple fermentation, a method where starches are converted to sugars, and sugars to alcohol simultaneously, utilizing specific yeast and fungi.
After a two-week fermentation period, 520 grams of the sake mash will be frozen and returned to Earth. A portion of this mash will undergo further processing to create a single exclusive bottle of DASSAI MOON – Made in Space sake, expected to be sold for ¥110 million (approximately USD 720,000). The proceeds from this sale will support Japanese space development initiatives, while the remainder of the mash will be analyzed for scientific purposes.
This innovative project raises the question of whether it could inspire a new wave of brewing in space, potentially leading to the production of various types of beers under lunar conditions. As humanity ventures further into space, the cultivation of food and drink will play a vital role in sustaining life beyond Earth.
