Story perspectives

CO2-to-Acetate System Powers Dark Plants for Artemis

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researcher Robert Jinkerson (UC Riverside) builds a CO2-to-acetate system for dark plants.
The 2021 Deep Space Food Challenge uses an electrolyzer with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers.
Multiplex CRISPR reactivates seed pathways to enable carbon-13-acetate use.
A 30-day ISS test last year showed acetate-fed plants survived microgravity.
NASA’s Artemis program needs ~10,000 kg food for a six-person crew on a 900-day trip, supported by Planetary Society’s STEP grant-funded pilot merging agriculture with hydroponics.

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Story summary

Researcher Robert Jinkerson (UC Riverside) builds a CO2-to-acetate system for dark plants.
The 2021 Deep Space Food Challenge uses an electrolyzer with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers.
Multiplex CRISPR reactivates seed pathways to enable carbon-13-acetate use.
A 30-day ISS test last year showed acetate-fed plants survived microgravity.
NASA’s Artemis program needs ~10,000 kg food for a six-person crew on a 900-day trip, supported by Planetary Society’s STEP grant-funded pilot merging agriculture with hydroponics.