Growing Crops in Regolith in Space
Pioneering Sustainable Agriculture in Space
In August of 2025, Starbase Brewing launched their first space-based agriculture experiment to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Crew-11 mission. OASIS, which stands for "Optimizing Agriculture in Simulated Interplanetary Soils", was a groundbreaking study conducted in collaboration with Texas A&M and Jaguar Space. This payload was the first attempt to grow crops in Martian regolith simulant in space, advancing the dream of sustainable agriculture for future colonies on Mars.
Building on Starbase Brewing’s innovative terrestrial research with Texas A&M AgriLife, the OASIS experiment combined Martian regolith simulant (JSC-Mars-1) with select microbes to enhance crop viability. These microbes (Saccromyces cerevisiae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirilium brasilense) were chosen because they acted synergistically with the properties of Brewer’s Spent Grain (BSG), a nutrient rich byproduct of the beer making process.
Starbase Brewing’s Spaceflight experiment expanded on promising Earth-based trials that demonstrated improved plant growth in regolith amended with BSG. Aboard the ISS, the experiment tested barley (Hordeum vulgare) growth in microgravity and radiation conditions, offering critical insights into plant-microbe interactions for extraterrestrial agriculture.
The OASIS Experiment
The OASIS experiment involved sixteen Fluid Processing Apparatuses (FPAs — essentially flight-rated test tubes) housed within a Group Activation Pack (GAP). Each FPA contained Martian regolith simulant and BSG, with a treatment including either a barley seed with a curated microbial blend, or just the microbial blend. All microbes were chosen for their ability to facilitate nutrient transformation and organic matter breakdown.
OASIS barley seeds sprouting on the International Space Station. Photo taken by NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim.
The seeds spent their early life germinating and growing aboard the ISS, after which the payload returned to Earth via a SpaceX Dragon capsule for detailed analysis of barley growth, nutrient uptake, genome integrity, and rhizosphere composition. The experiment also assessed greenhouse gas emissions and microbial function, with a terrestrial control study for comparison.
“Barley is a cornerstone of human nutrition, used in breads, flours, cereals, and, of course, craft beer,” said Nate Argroves, CEO of Starbase Brewing. “The OASIS experiment is a serious step toward sustainable food production on Mars, aligning with our mission to brew the first beer on the Red Planet while supporting long-term human exploration.”
Image of barley growing in FPAs (left) and zoomed in picture of root development showing root hairs interacting with the Martian simulant and BSG matrix.
Martian regolith lacks the microbiome and nutrients found in Earth’s soils, posing challenges for plant growth. The goal of the OASIS experiment is to test the hypothesis that microgravity and radiation will alter soil organic matter breakdown, nutrient reliance, and greenhouse gas regulation compared to Earth-based controls. By evaluating barley morphology, nutrient uptake, microbial community dynamics, and rhizosphere chemistry, the study aims to investigate the potential of regolith as a growth medium for sustainable Martian agriculture for the first time.
Pioneering Martian Agriculture
The OASIS experiment underscores Starbase Brewing’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the audacious goal of brewing beer on Mars. By leveraging Brewer’s Spent Grain — a byproduct of the brewing process — the company is not only advancing space agriculture but also promoting circular, waste-reducing practices on Earth and beyond.
Following the return of the capsule, the payload was shipped to Texas A&M, who will help share all findings with the scientific community and the public, offering a glimpse into the future of interplanetary farming. Beyond advancing humanity's ability to support human life on Mars, we believe the insights gained may also help improve farming practices in arid regions here on Earth.
