Advances in Space Farming for Near-Earth and Deep-Space Missions

Advances in space farming represent a critical frontier in astrobiology and human space exploration, driven by the necessity to develop sustainable food systems beyond Earth. As near-Earth missions and ambitions for deep-space travel accelerate, the ability to produce fresh food in extraterrestrial environments is increasingly vital for crew health, mission autonomy, and reduction of resupply needs. Current research explores controlled environment agriculture in microgravity, the adaptation of crop species to confined habitats, and the development of efficient resource recycling systems. Despite noteworthy progress, there remain significant gaps in understanding how space-specific stressors—such as altered gravity, radiation, and limited resources—affect plant growth, yield, and nutritional content, as well as the long-term viability of bioregenerative life support systems.This Research Topic aims to aggregate the most recent scientific insights and technological innovations advancing the prospect of reliable space-based agriculture. Key objectives include investigating plant responses to microgravity and planetary analog conditions, optimizing controlled environment systems for space habitats, and developing resource-efficient cultivation strategies. The Research Topic also encourages interdisciplinary perspectives on integrating plant production into closed-loop life support for both crewed space stations and future lunar, Martian, or deep-space habitats.The scope of this Research Topic covers experimental and theoretical research related to growing edible and functional plants in space or space-analog environments, while excluding studies focused solely on terrestrial agriculture. To gather further insights into the field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Plant responses and adaptation to microgravity and cosmic radiation-Controlled environment systems and bio-regenerative life support-Crop selection and genetic optimization for extraterrestrial farming-Resource recycling and water/nutrient management in closed habitats-Cultivation concepts and hardware to enable crop cultivation in transit and surface mission, considered from a crop cultivation point-of-view-Technological innovations for in-situ cultivation control and management, plant monitoring, and automation (sensing, imaging, robotics, decision support)We accept original research articles, reviews, perspective pieces, and case studies that contribute to the advancement of space farming for human missions beyond Earth. All submissions will be subject to rigorous peer review to ensure high scientific quality and relevance. Topic editors: Stefania De Pascale, Øyvind Mejdell Jakobsen, Antonio Pannico, Silvana Nicola Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79256/advances-in-space-farming-for-near-earth-and-deep-space-missions