Grace Crain about Space farming  -  I ask therefore I am S2#106

Timeline podcast

04min50 Introduction to Grace and space farming
13min35 Why is space exploration good for earth?
18min00 Why is going to Mars the greatest challenge of our time?
22min00 The Melissa Project
29min30 About the nuances of converting urine into plant fertilizer
38min00 How long will it take until we have an ecosystem in space?
44min00 The impact of loss of material in a space ecosystem
53min50 Fermentation, mushrooms and insects for space exploration
65min50 Can we breed animals in space farming? And what does that mean for earth farming?
74min00 Can we replicate earth ecosystems?
81min30 How would politics and economy look like on a Mars Colony

It sounds counterintuitive but it is real: Space exploration teaches us a lot about life on earth! This is yet again proven during this podcast-conversation with Grace Crain, MELiSSA Doctoral Student at ETH Zurich Group of Plant Nutrition.

Before her PhD, she studied a Master in Biology in El paso, Texas (USA). She knows a lot about plant ecology, natural resource management and restoration, and desert ecology/biogeochemistry. As a US citizen she is our first podcast guest from another continent! EXCITING!

Grace’s research within the MELiSSA project focuses on determining the suitability of using human excreta for hydroponic crop production for future long-term space missions. Or in other words: Research on using pee and poo to grow plants in space.

This podcast conversation starts with Grace’s research, but of course the dialogue expands with the latest developments in space exploration, earth ecosystems, food producing ecosystems, circular economy and even space-colony politics!

Basically, this became a podcast with 2 people/nerds that are passionate about space exploration as a challenge for humanity, and as a way to better the understanding of our planetary ecosystems.

ENJOY the delightful and in depth conversation with Grace Crain!