Harnessing space-derived technologies for agri-food system resilience

Abstract As we face the growing challenges of climate change and food insecurity, technologies developed for space are opening up new and innovative ways to rethink how we grow and distribute food here on Earth. This exploratory study investigates the case study of Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS), originally developed to sustain life in space, and how these can create, deliver, and capture sustainable value when transferred to Earth. Framed within the context of the New Space Economy (NSE), the paper examines how space technologies can be translated into terrestrial food systems to generate economic, environmental, and societal impact. Drawing on innovation ecosystem perspective and the concept of sustainable value creation, the research highlights the roles of co-creation, stakeholder alignment, and ecosystem orchestration in enabling successful spin-offs. Exploratory empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a focus group with stakeholders from space agencies, academic institutions, startups, and analog missions based primarily in Europe, with additional participation from North America. The findings reveal that BLSS-derived technologies, such as closed-loop farming, microbial nutrient recycling, and precision cultivation, offer multi-sectoral benefits when adapted to Earth, including circular economy applications, resilient food production, and inclusive nutritional strategies. The study contributes an exploratory framework for understanding how space-enabled innovations can catalyze sustainable transformation in terrestrial contexts, offering practical insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners at the intersection of space and food system innovation.