The Future of Food in Space

Ans)

    1.Answer: d) Sustainable food production is crucial for future space missions and has benefits for Earth.

Explanation: The passage emphasizes the importance of developing sustainable food systems for space missions and how these innovations can also benefit food production on Earth.

    2.Answer: b) develop new food technologies that minimize waste.

Explanation: The challenge aims to create food systems that produce minimal waste while providing nutritious and safe food for long-term space missions.

     3.Answer: c) High emissions during production

Explanation: The passage mentions that fungi-based foods are versatile, grow quickly, and can be printed into various textures, but it does not state that they have high emissions.

4.Answer: a) the development of space food technologies is innovative and groundbreaking.

Explanation: The phrase highlights the novelty and advanced nature of space food technologies.

     5.Answer: b) Thermostabilized

Explanation: Astronauts eat food that is freeze-dried, dehydrated, or thermostabilized to ensure safety and nutrition.

    6.Answer: c) Avoidance of crumbs

Explanation: Crumbly foods are avoided in space to prevent crumbs from floating and interfering with equipment.

    7.Answer: a) creating a closed-loop system with minimal waste.

Explanation: The circular economy involves recycling resources to minimize waste, a key principle for sustainable space food production.

     8.Answer: b) Zero gravity environment

Explanation: The passage notes that growing vegetables in microgravity presents unique challenges.

    9.Answer: b) They can cause equipment malfunctions.

Explanation: Crumbs can float in the low-gravity environment and interfere with vital equipment.

    10.Answer: a) Creating protein from air and microbes

Explanation: Solar Foods developed a method to produce protein using an edible microbe that feeds on carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen.

11.Answer: c) are resistant to radiation.

Explanation: The passage states that fungi are robust, resistant to radiation, and can grow on various substrates.

    12.Answer: b) innovate food production with minimal waste.

    Explanation: The challenge seeks to develop food systems that are efficient and produce minimal waste, suitable for long-term space missions.

   13.Answer: d) It uses available waste gases efficiently.

    Explanation: Solar Foods uses microbes to create protein from waste gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen, making the process efficient and sustainable.

    14.Answer: a) They can address food production in resource-scarce environments.

Explanation: The technologies developed for space can be applied to extreme environments on Earth, improving food production where resources are limited.

   15.Answer: b) To prevent menu fatigue and maintain morale

Explanation: The passage highlights the importance of variety in food to keep astronauts mentally healthy and motivated during extended missions.

   16.Answer: b) By allowing astronauts to study plant growth in microgravity

Explanation: The Veggie garden is used for research on how plants grow in the unique conditions of space, which is critical for developing sustainable food production methods.

Writing Example

Essay

The advent of sustainable food production systems for space missions presents a revolutionary step forward not only for space exploration but also for addressing food scarcity on Earth. I strongly agree with the view that advancements in space food technologies will bring significant benefits to food production on our planet, particularly in resource-scarce and extreme environments.

Firstly, the constraints of space travel demand innovative solutions for food production that are efficient and waste-minimizing. These innovations, such as growing protein from microbes and utilizing fungi-based foods, can be adapted to Earth’s needs. For instance, Solar Foods’ technology, which produces protein from carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen, offers a sustainable way to create nutritious food with minimal resources. This could be incredibly beneficial in arid regions where traditional agriculture is not viable.

Moreover, space food technologies often involve creating closed-loop systems, where waste is recycled into valuable resources. This concept aligns perfectly with the principles of a circular economy, which is crucial for sustainable development on Earth. By reducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency, these systems can help mitigate the environmental impact of food production, which is a significant contributor to climate change.

Additionally, the challenges of growing fresh produce in microgravity have led to advancements in hydroponics and aeroponics, techniques that can be used in urban farming. These methods require less water and land compared to traditional farming and can be implemented in densely populated areas or places with poor soil quality. As a result, urban farming can contribute to local food security and reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting food over long distances.

In conclusion, the technologies developed for sustainable food production in space have the potential to revolutionize how we produce food on Earth. By adapting these innovations to our planet’s unique challenges, we can address food scarcity, reduce environmental impact, and promote a more sustainable and resilient food system. (words: 287)

Short writing

• 1.Food for astronauts is typically freeze-dried, dehydrated, or thermostabilized to ensure safety, nutrition, and ease of storage and preparation in space.
  

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• 2.Crumbly foods are avoided because the crumbs can float in the low-gravity environment, potentially interfering with equipment and being inhaled by astronauts.
  

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• 3.Advancements in space food technology can benefit Earth by providing sustainable and efficient food production methods, especially in resource-scarce and extreme environments. These technologies promote waste minimization, resource efficiency, and the development of closed-loop systems that can reduce the environmental impact of food production.