Growing Crops in Regolith in Space

Pioneering Sustainable Agriculture in Space

Starbase Brewing, the pioneering craft brewery with a vision to be the first beer on Mars, proudly announces the launch of the OASIS experiment (Optimizing Agriculture in Simulated Interplanetary Soils) as part of NASA’s Crew-11 mission, set to depart for the International Space Station (ISS) on July 31, 2025. This groundbreaking study, conducted in collaboration with Texas A&M and Jaguar Space, marks a historic milestone: the first attempt to grow crops in Martian regolith simulant in space, advancing the dream of sustainable agriculture for future colonies on Mars.

OASIS Mission Patch

Building on Starbase Brewing’s innovative terrestrial research with Texas A&M AgriLife, the OASIS experiment combines 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 act synergistically with the properties of Brewer’s Spent Grain (BSG), a nutrient rich byproduct of the beer making process.

Starbase Brewing’s Spaceflight experiment expands on promising Earth-based trials that demonstrated improved plant growth in regolith amended with BSG. Now, aboard the ISS, the experiment will test 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 involves sixteen Fluid Processing Apparatuses (FPAs, essentially flight-rated test tubes) housed within a Group Activation Pack (GAP). Each FPA contains Martian regolith simulant and BSG, while treatments include either adding barley seed with a curated microbial blend, or just the microbial blend, where the microbes are designed to facilitate nutrient transformation and organic matter breakdown. The seeds will spend their early life germinating and growing aboard the ISS, after which the payload will return to Earth via a Dragon capsule for detailed analysis of barley growth, nutrient uptake, genome integrity, and rhizosphere composition. The experiment will also assess 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.

Scientific Impact and Vision for Martian Agriculture

Martian regolith lacks the microbiome and nutrients found in Earth’s soils, posing challenges for plant growth. The OASIS experiment tests 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 for the first time the potential of regolith as a growth medium for sustainable Martian agriculture.

Harrison Coker is a PhD Candidate at Texas A&M who has spent the last two summers at Kennedy Space Center on a NASA Fellowship, and who led the laboratory work under the guidance of Prof. Julie Howe and Prof. Peyton Smith. “Our OASIS experiment is beyond exciting to understand the ecology of regolith-based agriculture in the microgravity environment. I can’t wait for our results to see how crops and microbes interact in the soil environment in space,” said Harrison. “Supporting future colonies and missions to Mars is our dream, and because soils are integral to human life on earth, I also believe the soils of Mars will be key to agricultural operations and human well-being while there.”

Integral to the success of the OASIS experiment is the expertise of Jaguar Space, led by Dr. Luis Zea, a renowned space scientist with over 25 spaceflight experiments. Jaguar played a critical role in guiding the design of the experiment so that it could be performed in space and ensuring seamless integration into the Crew-11 mission and operations on board the ISS. “I commend Starbase Brewing and Texas A&M for their vision in launching this pioneering experiment — an important first step toward sustainable agriculture on Mars. Beyond advancing our ability to support human life on Mars, the insights gained may also help improve farming practices in arid regions here on Earth. We are honored at Jaguar Space for their trust to provide them access to space for meaningful and impactful scientific research.” said Dr. Zea.

A Toast to the Future

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.

The OASIS Team. From left to right, Nate Argroves (Starbase Brewing), Dr. A. Peyton Smith (Texas A&M), Harrison R. Coker (Texas A&M), Dr. Julie A. Howe (Texas A&M), Caleb E.B. Shackelford (Texas A&M), Dr. Luis Zea (Jaguar Space). Not pictured: Camila Novales (Jaguar Space)

Following the payload’s return, Starbase Brewing and Texas A&M AgriLife will share findings with the scientific community and the public, offering a glimpse into the future of interplanetary farming. Stay tuned for updates on this historic mission via Starbase Brewing’s website and social media channels.

About Starbase Brewing

Starbase Brewing is a Texas-based craft beer company aiming to be the first brewery on Mars. The goals of Starbase are to brew delicious beer, promote science and sustainability, and develop new brewing technologies optimized for humanity's future in space. Starbase's operations are powered by renewable energy and the company donates 1% of profits to science education. Starbase beers are distributed across Texas and in Cape Canaveral and has plans to expand distribution nationwide over the next few years. To learn more, visit: https://mars.beer

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is a premier leader in agriculture, natural resources, and life sciences, dedicated to advancing research, education, and outreach to improve the lives of Texans and beyond. Through its innovative programs and partnerships, Texas A&M AgriLife addresses critical challenges in food, fiber, health, and environmental sustainability, fostering a resilient future for communities worldwide. For more information, visit https://agrilife.tamu.edu.

About Jaguar Space

Jaguar Space is a bioastronautics and access-to-space firm, helping customers turn space into competitive advantage. With deep expertise in spaceflight research, international collaboration, and commercial strategy, we support clients across government, academia, and industry in navigating and thriving within the global space economy.