[stuartcr]

Hey, just use a 3D printer...seems like they can make anything

[Mouton]

I would send them on farming expeditions to the Atacama Desert for six months, make them work in space suits and see how they do before we go forth with any further planning. I’ve got just the first two choices, that nut job who drove all the way from Houston to Florida, in diapers without stopping, to get her man back.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

This was figured out in science fiction long ago. Until you get established greenhouses underground, the fastest way to produce substantial and nutritious food is with microorganisms. You begin with them making the bulk of your nutritional needs, along with the dehydrated food you have brought with, and then you augment that with crops and finally animals.

Realistically speaking, this begins by sending nuclear powered tunneling robots, which burrow into a vertical cliff face and keep improving it until not only is there enough room for people, but a substantial amount of water and waste storage, and tunnels that will function as the home for a hydroponic garden.

[jboot]

We could use huge amounts of money, R&D time and mission time growing potatoes in space for a multi-year Mars mission. OR we could dust off the plans for nuclear rocket engines that have been gathering dust since the 1960s and mount a 6-month mission with a heavier spacecraft and more and better science. For food we can just send along a crate or two of MREs.

But that makes too much sense, I'm sure. You get more "good government" points if you do space on a shoestring.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I don’t know if anyone here has ever eaten “Quorn”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quorn

The mycoprotein used to produce Quorn is extracted from the fungus Fusarium venenatum.

However, I think they are missing a bet, by trying to keep it as strictly vegetarian. That is, if you would *augment* a faux meat with *real* flavorings, it would taste a heck of a lot better. This could include putting in bullion or animal fats, that would seriously boost both its nutritional value and taste.

[ExCTCitizen]

Farming on Mars...I wonder if there’s an economic stymulus for it from Obama?? (Dear El Presidente, may I have 3.7 billion dollars and 200,000 acres of prime Mars land. Thank You.. I want to grow apples and grapes on Mars.)

[Cyman]

Two ships needed.

One for astronauts.

One for Twinkies.

[CMB_polarization]

NASA doesn't have to worry about a thing. The Mars One folks will have agriculture and food production achieved by 2024.

http://mars-one.com/en/mission/mission-and-vision

[I want the USA back]

Stupid idea. Humans are optimized for living on Earth. Living on another planet will have them dead.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Snow peas should be a good crop . . .

[Alex in chains]

I’m sure there will be a Super Center there if Wal Mart keeps expanding.