In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): Methylotrophic Microorganisms Expressing Soluble Methane Monooxygenase Proteins

About this technology

Overview

Long duration missions to planetary bodies and deep space will require new technological developments that support human habitation in transit and on distant bodies. Microorganisms are unique from the standpoint that they can be employed as self-replicating bio-factories to produce both native and engineered mission relevant bio-products. ISRU using In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) to generate mission relevant products could be logical for many applications. Products that consist of a significant amount of carbon (e.g. fuels, and foods etc.) could potentially be derived from single-carbon molecules available on long duration missions. NASA Ames has developed a novel patent-pending technology for an in-space bio-manufacturing of mission relevant bio-products using methane as the sole carbon substrate.