Institute of Competition Sciences (ICS) is excited to announce a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Deep Space Food Consortium (DSFC), establishing a connection that will strengthen the space food expertise behind our competitions!

The Deep Space Food Consortium brings together researchers, space agencies, food companies, technology developers, and other experts working to advance food systems for future space exploration.

There are two competitions related to this collaboration.

Plant the Moon Challenge, developed and managed by ICS for K–12 and university students, gives participants the opportunity to explore lunar surface science and the challenges of growing food for future Moon-based habitats.

Deep Space Food Challenge: Mars to Table Competition, organized by the DSFC on behalf of NASA, is a professional technology development competition focused on advancing the next generation of food production technologies for space exploration.

As ICS develops and manages student competitions connected to space exploration, DSFC will serve as a primary source of subject matter expertise, helping us connect our competitions with experts, research, and emerging technologies in the field.

We’re excited to bring students closer to the experts working to solve these challenges and explore how innovations developed for space could also benefit food systems right here at home!  

Hungry for more information? 

Contact ICS at ptmc@competitionsciences.org for more information about engaging students in hands-on space food experiments and educational opportunities. 

For more information about engaging with the professional space food research community, please contact the DSFC at community@deepspacefood.org