“The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.”
A quote by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, a Russian scientist considered the “father of rocketry,” inspires humanity to be curious about the possibilities that lie in outer space. The dream of human space colonization has persisted for more than a century. We believe it’s attainable, and many of our science fiction dreams hinge on this possibility. The goal of making humanity an interplanetary species has been implicit in aerospace work, inspiring engineers to push the boundaries of space exploration. As we venture into the vast expanse of the cosmos, one critical challenge lies in sustaining life in environments far removed from our planet’s natural resources.
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary approach to combine biology and engineering to design, construct, and optimize new biological systems or redesign existing ones to perform specific functions or behaviours. It offers a promising solution to this challenge of space exploration, enabling us to provide key technologies we will need to create self-sustaining colonies in outer space and other celestial bodies, including air we breathe, food we eat, and the protection we need from harsh outer-space conditions.
One of the most pressing concerns for long-duration space missions is the provision of food. Storage of huge amounts of food in spacecraft is a major challenge, and traditionally we are unable to produce food in the confined and resource-limited environments. Synthetic biology can address this issue by creating genetically engineered organisms capable of producing high-yield, nutrient-dense food in minimal space and water, making them ideal for space-based food production. Beyond food, it can also be harnessed to produce other essential resources like the production of medicines, chemicals, and materials that are difficult or impossible to transport from our home and may expire with time. This could reduce the reliance on replenishment missions, making space travel more sustainable and cost-effective.
For instance, NASA’s SynBio project is developing technologies to produce essential products like vitamins, medicines, and building materials in space. The BioNutrients experiment is testing a method to create antioxidants using genetically modified yeast and a long-lasting growth substrate. Additionally, synthetic biology can be used to create bioremediation systems that can clean up pollutants and contaminants. It can play a vital role in designing self-sustaining ecosystems that can recycle waste products and generate oxygen in extra-terrestrial environments, ensuring the safety and habitability of human settlements.
We have always viewed the cosmos as the rich reservoir of infinite resources for humanity. For more than a century, through multiple space missions, we tried to explore those resources, and the quest of becoming a multiplanetary civilization is still on. Synthetic biology offers a promising avenue for overcoming the challenges of long-duration space missions. As our understanding of biology and engineering continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of synthetic biology in the realm of space exploration.

Prashant Tiwari

University/College name : Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi