FOODiQ Global has launched Mission MushVroom, the first attempt to grow oyster mushrooms in space.
FOODiQ Global has launched Mission MushVroom, the first attempt to grow oyster mushrooms in space, aboard the Fram2 mission via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The goal? To explore mushrooms as a sustainable, nutrient-rich food source for long-duration space missions—like a future trip to Mars.
The experiment, led by space nutritionist Dr. Flávia Fayet-Moore, highlights mushrooms' resilience, nutritional value (including vitamin D production under UV light), and rich umami flavor—making them ideal for astronauts' diets in microgravity environments.
The FRAM2 mission has officially returned to Earth after nearly four days in orbit. Splashing down off the coast of California, the Dragon spacecraft completed the first human spaceflight to explore Earth from a polar orbit—marking a major milestone in space exploration.
During the mission, the crew conducted 22 research experiments, including the growth of mushrooms in microgravity as part of the Mission MushVroom study.
These findings contribute to the future of long-duration space travel and sustainable food systems in space. The crew’s smooth, unassisted recovery also provided critical insights into astronaut health post-mission.
"The mushroom multiverse is expected to expand as consumers tune into the distinct benefits of each variety. Along with recognized sensory and functional benefits, we anticipate the mushroom trend will be further bolstered by consumers’ environmental aspirations.”
