#Japan #ISS #Fukuoka #HTV-X1 #FarmaMind

Delivering Fresh Produce to the International Space Station

In a remarkable initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for astronauts in outer space, Japan's FarmaMind Co., a company specializing in the distribution of fresh produce, has taken a monumental step. Working in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and under contract with the Distribution Economics Institute (DEI), FarmaMind has begun a meticulous process of disinfecting and packaging fresh fruits to be sent to the International Space Station (ISS).

This initiative underscores the importance of maintaining the well-being of astronauts, whose ability to remain healthy and perform optimally can often be compromised during long missions in space. The fresh produce provided will be transported to the ISS aboard the new HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft, with substantial efforts made to ensure the safety and integrity of the food being offered to astronauts.

High Standards of Hygiene at FarmaMind’s Production Center

At FarmaMind's facility located in Fukuoka, rigorous hygiene and safety protocols are upheld to ensure that the fresh fruits meet the stringent standards required for space travel. The center has attained ISO 22000 certification, a prestigious international food safety management system standard which ensures the reduction of food safety risks. To comply with JAXA’s safety requirements, specialized techniques are employed that guarantee the safe handling and processing of fresh produce, which cannot be sterilized using traditional heat methods.

Disinfection Process

The fruits undergo an initial cleaning process to remove any pathogens and contaminants from their surfaces. A sodium hypochlorite solution is prepared, adjusting the pH levels to create a powerful disinfectant solution. The fruits are then submerged in this solution to eliminate nearly all microbial loads, ensuring that they meet JAXA's rigorous standards of a colony-forming unit (CFU) count of fewer than 10,000 per gram.

Packaging Process

The packaging of these fruits is another critical step, designed to withstand the intense conditions of a rocket launch. Withgforces reaching up to 5G and limited space on the HTV-X1, careful packing is essential to prevent spoilage or damage to the produce during flight. To achieve this, the fruits are wrapped in moisture-absorbing paper to capture any leaking juices, and sealed in special freshness-retaining film that breaks down ethylene gas into water and CO2, thereby extending shelf life. Further protection comes from using fruit nets as cushioning material, before each item is individually place in zip-lock plastic bags. The packaging is tailored to each fruit type, optimizing waste minimization while adhering to JAXA’s technical requirements.

Celebrating Freshness: The Light-Selected Fuji Apples

Among the fruits being sent to the ISS are FarmaMind’s flagship product, the Light-Selected Fuji Apples, which are specifically valued for their exceptional taste, quality, and freshness. This series utilizes innovative growing techniques, including maintaining the leaves on the apple tree to maximize nutrient absorption, enhancing sweetness, and implementing a rigorous quality assurance process using near-infrared technology to assess a myriad of quality metrics.

Recent advancements in cold-chain logistics ensure that these apples are stored in refrigerated conditions within 24 hours of harvest, maintaining peak freshness until they are delivered to astronauts aboard the ISS.

FarmaMind’s proactive efforts to connect producers with consumers highlight its commitment to enhancing the quality of agricultural products distributed both domestically and abroad. Through this pioneering venture, the company is poised to contribute to the development of fresh produce distribution not only in Japan but globally, ensuring that even in space, astronauts have access to the freshest and healthiest food options.