Demonstrating Research Excellence on the Global Stage

PRODUCING FOOD IN SPACE

KAUST agritech startups join forces to win NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge

Two KAUST agritech startups, Natu a and Edama, were among the 10 international winners of the rst phase of NASA’s competitive Deep Space Food Challenge (DSFC), which concluded in November 2021. NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) recognized a joint Natu a x Edama team for demonstrating excellence in helping to bring innovative food production technologies to space.

Advancements in space technology are happening around the world, with innovators looking for new ways to expand the human space presence while also managing in-space resources. The DSFC forms part of “Grand Challenges”, a wider series of NASA competitions open to leading companies that offer solutions that solve space-related problems with novel capabilities. Given the importance of a healthy diet for astronauts in space, the DSFC called for new food production technologies that require minimal resources and generate limited waste to provide nutritious and tasty food for long-duration missions.

KEVIN CULLEN Vice President for Innovation

WE’RE DELIGHTED WITH THE SUCCESS OF THIS KAUST STARTUP COLLABORATION. THE PROGRESS OF NATUFIA AND EDAMA DEMONSTRATES THE STRONG ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM WE ARE BUILDING IN SAUDI ARABIA TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE WHOLE WORLD.

Based at the KAUST Research & Technology Park, Natu a and Edama saw an opportunity to apply their different areas of expertise to this challenge. Joining forces as partners in the competition, the duo’s proposed solution brings together advanced automated hydroponics, macroalgae farming and composting systems, seamlessly integrated into a low-maintenance, user-friendly, closed-loop food production ecosystem. The system focuses on ef ciently recovering and reusing waste to maximize productivity and reduce dependence on external inputs. It can supply a diverse and nutritious menu of fruit, vegetables and algae-based dietary supplements.

Commenting on the competition’s importance to space exploration, James L. Reuter, Associate Administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, said, “NASA is excited to engage the public in developing technologies that could fuel our deep space explorers. Our approach to deep space human exploration is strengthened by new technological advances and diverse community input, such as that of Natu a x Edama.”

Both startups have been working to solve food security issues in Saudi Arabia through the development of water-ef cient and nutrientimproved cultivation. As the rst company of its kind in Saudi Arabia, Edama specializes in organic waste-recycling solutions designed for municipalities and small-scale communities, aiming to transform the way waste is managed in the Kingdom. In 2018, it was one of six winners of KAUST’s TAQADAM Startup Accelerator – an achievement that led to the construction of its pilot composting facility.

“It’s an honor to have been selected by NASA,” Mitchell Morton, Chief Technology Of cer and Co-Founder of Edama, said. “Their endorsement is an authoritative validation of our concept and a great source of motivation to drive us through the development process.”

A KAUST spin-in, Natu a is a multi-award-winning research lab specialized in hydroponic systems that provides unique proprietary technology that enables fresh plants and herbs to grow year-round. In 2021, the KAUST Innovation Fund invested $2 million in Natu a to help the company commercialize its fully automated kitchen garden, known as the “Nespresso for plants and herbs”.

“This award from NASA is a big recognition of Natu a’s innovation,” Gregory Lu, Founder of Natu a, said. “Our proprietary and KAUSTdeveloped technology, in partnership with Edama, can address challenges from many industries. If Natu a can grow plants in space, it can grow them anywhere: at home, from the of ce or in restaurants.”

Natu a and Edama are currently exploring funding avenues to allow them to participate in the second and third phases of the DSFC, as they have the expertise to go all the way in the competition. The second phase runs until March 2023, and participants will have to create and demonstrate a prototype of their proposed technology before a NASA-CSA panel. Up to three international entrants will then be selected alongside US companies to compete in the third and nal phase. The ultimate winner will partner with NASA to develop food production technologies that can support a crew of four astronauts on a three-year, round-trip exploration mission.

Natu a and Edama are examples of the top talent that KAUST has attracted and developed to energize the rich startup ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and solve global problems, including food sustainability. As the deep-tech heart of Saudi Arabia, KAUST continually seeks out collaboration and investment opportunities to innovate across the spectrum of climate, health and other pressing global issues.

NASA

“These types of food systems could offer benefits on our home planet. Solutions from this challenge could enable new avenues for worldwide food production in resource-scarce regions and locations where disasters disrupt critical infrastructure.”

Robyn Gatens, Director of the International Space Station Program at NASA

Credits

Produced in collaboration with Oxford Business Group EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

David Keyes Senior Associate to the President for Strategic Partnerships and Global Branding

EDITORIAL BOARD

Najah Ashry Senior Associate to the President and Vice President for Strategic National Advancement

Donal Bradley Vice President for Research

Lawrence Carin Provost

Kevin Cullen Vice President for Innovation

MANAGING EDITORS

Julie West Science Communications Specialist

Naadiya Carrim Interim Director for Global Branding and Communications

Salah Sindi Senior In-Kingdom Media Advisor

Readers are welcome to provide feedback on KAUST Impact at kaustimpact@kaust.edu.sa.

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