In a groundbreaking step toward sustaining long-term space missions and future planetary colonization, researchers from three Italian universities, in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency, are developing a new kind of rice — ultra-compact, protein-rich, and designed to thrive in space.
This experimental project, called Moon-Rice, aims to produce miniature rice plants that can grow in microgravity environments, providing astronauts — and eventually space settlers — with fresh, nutritious food.
A Sustainable Solution Beyond Earth
Traditionally, space missions rely on pre-packaged meals transported from Earth. While functional, these meals are often lacking in essential nutrients and contain few fresh ingredients. To counter the adverse effects of space on human health, scientists are now seeking sustainable food sources rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
“Life in space is about recycling available resources and living sustainably. Essentially, we’re trying to solve the same problems we face on Earth,” said Marta Del Bianco, a plant biologist with the Italian Space Agency.
Engineering Micro-Rice for Microgravity
One of the main challenges is adapting plant size for space environments. Even dwarf rice varieties currently grown on Earth are too large for efficient cultivation aboard spacecraft or extraterrestrial habitats. The research team is working to create “super-dwarf” rice plants that are small yet still productive.
Dwarf varieties are typically developed by manipulating a plant hormone called gibberellin, which stunts growth. However, this often hampers germination, making these Earth-adapted dwarfs unsuitable for space. The new goal: rice that is both tiny and high-yielding.
The first results have been promising. At the University of Milan, researchers have isolated genetically modified rice strains that grow to just 10 centimeters in height. Meanwhile, at Sapienza University in Rome, scientists are identifying genes that can modify plant architecture to boost growth and productivity. In parallel, efforts are underway to enhance the protein content of the rice.
Simulating Space on Earth
Dr. Del Bianco is leading research on how plants respond to microgravity. Since actual space experiments are costly and complex, her team simulates weightlessness on Earth by rotating plants so they experience gravity equally in all directions. This disrupts the plants’ sense of up and down — a close approximation of space conditions.
Mental Health Benefits of Growing Food in Space
Beyond nutrition, growing plants in space could offer psychological benefits. “Tending to plants is emotionally rewarding. While pre-cooked meals might suffice for short missions, they could become problematic during longer stays,” noted Dr. Del Bianco.
Given the physical and mental demands of space exploration, maintaining astronaut well-being is critical. “If we can create an environment that nourishes astronauts both physically and emotionally, we can reduce stress — and with it, the risk of mistakes. In space, a simple error can cost lives,” she added.
Earthside Applications
The innovations from Moon-Rice are not just for outer space. These hardy, compact crops could also be a game-changer in extreme Earth environments such as deserts, the Arctic, Antarctica, or even urban areas with minimal space for agriculture.
The research was presented on July 9 at the annual conference of the Society for Experimental Biology in Antwerp, Belgium.
