Design a Mars meal for astronauts, win $750,000 from NASA
What's the story
NASA has launched a global competition to tackle one of the biggest hurdles in human space exploration: feeding astronauts on Mars. The US space agency is offering a whopping $750,000 prize for teams that can come up with a complete, self-sustaining meal plan for long-term survival on the Red Planet. The contest, dubbed "Mars to Table Deep Space Food Challenge," is part of NASA's larger effort to prepare for missions beyond Earth's orbit.
Challenge details
Contest aims for sustainable food systems
The Mars to Table challenge is not just about creating tasty recipes, but also about designing a sustainable food system. The goal is to come up with solutions that can grow, process, and prepare nutritious meals on Mars without relying on Earth deliveries. This system would need to work in a Martian habitat and integrate with life support technologies while providing balanced nutrition and safety for astronauts.
Contest eligibility
Participation open to all until July 2026
The contest is open to everyone, from professional chefs to students and citizen scientists. Participants can enter individually or as part of a team. They must register online through NASA's challenge portal by July 31, 2026. The final winners will be announced in September 2026, with the main prize being $300,000 but the total prize money on offer going up to $750,000 with other awards included.
Mission sustainability
Importance of food systems for long-duration missions
NASA's officials have stressed the importance of innovative food systems for future Mars missions. Unlike current Moon or International Space Station expeditions, a Mars mission could last months or even years with slow and expensive resupply from Earth. To make such long-duration missions feasible, astronauts will need food systems that can function almost entirely on their own after leaving Earth.