IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/nat/natsus/v7y2024i3d10.1038_s41893-024-01305-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Space bioprocess engineering as a potential catalyst for sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Gretchen Vengerova

    (Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
    University of California, Berkeley)

  • Isaac Lipsky

    (Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
    University of California, Berkeley)

  • Gwyneth A. Hutchinson

    (Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
    University of California, Berkeley)

  • Nils J. H. Averesch

    (Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
    Stanford University)

  • Aaron J. Berliner

    (Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES)
    University of California, Berkeley
    University of California, Berkeley)

Abstract

Investment in spacefaring enterprises must offer transformative solutions to Earth-based challenges. Providing for the future health of our home planet is possibly the greatest return on investment. Therefore, ensuring that the large costs of astronautics also yield benefits on Earth is critical. The goal of space bioprocess engineering is the design, realization and management of biologically driven technologies for supporting off-world human exploration. Here, we outline several technologies with high dual-use potential, argue that continued investment in such technologies is justified, and offer insight into specific research and development strategies that will increase sociological, political and technological benefits for sustainable development on Earth.

Suggested Citation

  • Gretchen Vengerova & Isaac Lipsky & Gwyneth A. Hutchinson & Nils J. H. Averesch & Aaron J. Berliner, 2024. "Space bioprocess engineering as a potential catalyst for sustainability," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(3), pages 238-246, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01305-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01305-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-024-01305-x
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1038/s41893-024-01305-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. J. Nicolas Hernandez-Aguilera & Weston Anderson & Allison L. Bridges & M. Pilar Fernandez & Winslow D. Hansen & Megan L. Maurer & Elisabeth K. Ilboudo Nébié & Andy Stock, 2021. "Supporting interdisciplinary careers for sustainability," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 374-375, May.
    2. Charles S. Cockell & Rosa Santomartino & Kai Finster & Annemiek C. Waajen & Lorna J. Eades & Ralf Moeller & Petra Rettberg & Felix M. Fuchs & Rob Houdt & Natalie Leys & Ilse Coninx & Jason Hatton & Lu, 2020. "Space station biomining experiment demonstrates rare earth element extraction in microgravity and Mars gravity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. P. M. Pattison & J. Y. Tsao & G. C. Brainard & B. Bugbee, 2018. "LEDs for photons, physiology and food," Nature, Nature, vol. 563(7732), pages 493-500, November.
    4. Jeff Tollefson, 2018. "IPCC says limiting global warming to 1.5 °C will require drastic action," Nature, Nature, vol. 562(7726), pages 172-173, October.
    5. K. E. French, 2019. "Harnessing synthetic biology for sustainable development," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(4), pages 250-252, April.
    6. Hertzfeld, Henry R, 2002. "Measuring the Economic Returns from Successful NASA Life Sciences Technology Transfers," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 27(4), pages 311-320, December.
    7. Mostafa Bentahir & Mamadou Diouldé Barry & Kekoura Koulemou & Jean-Luc Gala, 2022. "Providing On-Site Laboratory and Biosafety Just-In-Time Training Inside a Box-Based Laboratory during the West Africa Ebola Outbreak: Supporting Better Preparedness for Future Health Emergencies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-13, September.
    8. David Schlosberg & Lisette B. Collins, 2014. "From environmental to climate justice: climate change and the discourse of environmental justice," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 5(3), pages 359-374, May.
    9. Nicolás M. Clauser & Giselle González & Carolina M. Mendieta & Julia Kruyeniski & María C. Area & María E. Vallejos, 2021. "Biomass Waste as Sustainable Raw Material for Energy and Fuels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-21, January.
    10. Yonglong Lu & Nebojsa Nakicenovic & Martin Visbeck & Anne-Sophie Stevance, 2015. "Policy: Five priorities for the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Nature, Nature, vol. 520(7548), pages 432-433, April.
    11. Rosa Santomartino & Nils J. H. Averesch & Marufa Bhuiyan & Charles S. Cockell & Jesse Colangelo & Yosephine Gumulya & Benjamin Lehner & Ivanna Lopez-Ayala & Sean McMahon & Anurup Mohanty & Sergio R. S, 2023. "Toward sustainable space exploration: a roadmap for harnessing the power of microorganisms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    12. Thomas Dyllick & Kai Hockerts, 2002. "Beyond the business case for corporate sustainability," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(2), pages 130-141, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Salim Bagadeem & Mohammed Moosa Ageli & Bader Alhafi, 2022. "Individuals and Organizations: The Sustainability Connect," Journal of Sustainable Development, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 15(3), pages 147-147, May.
    2. Maria Björklund & Helena Forslund, 2019. "Challenges Addressed by Swedish Third-Party Logistics Providers Conducting Sustainable Logistics Business Cases," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Merriam Haffar & Cory Searcy, 2018. "Target‐setting for ecological resilience: Are companies setting environmental sustainability targets in line with planetary thresholds?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(7), pages 1079-1092, November.
    4. Pishchulov, Grigory & Trautrims, Alexander & Chesney, Thomas & Gold, Stefan & Schwab, Leila, 2019. "The Voting Analytic Hierarchy Process revisited: A revised method with application to sustainable supplier selection," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 166-179.
    5. Pin Li & Jinsuo Zhang, 2019. "Is China’s Energy Supply Sustainable? New Research Model Based on the Exponential Smoothing and GM(1,1) Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-30, January.
    6. Simone Carmine & Valentina De Marchi, 2023. "Reviewing Paradox Theory in Corporate Sustainability Toward a Systems Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 184(1), pages 139-158, April.
    7. Bert Scholtens & Feng‐Ching Kang, 2013. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Earnings Management: Evidence from Asian Economies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), pages 95-112, March.
    8. Fabien Martinez, 2014. "Corporate strategy and the environment: towards a four-dimensional compatibility model for fostering green management decisions," Post-Print hal-02887618, HAL.
    9. Veronica Devenin & Constanza Bianchi, 2018. "Soccer fields? What for? Effectiveness of corporate social responsibility initiatives in the mining industry," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(5), pages 866-879, September.
    10. Xiao Xiao & Yue Cheng & Yuling Zhang, 2024. "Sustainable Innovation in the Biopharmaceutical Industry: An Analysis of the Impact of Policy Configuration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.
    11. Shannon L. Sibbald & Nicole Haggerty, 2019. "Integrating Business and Medical Pedagogy to Accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals," Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, , vol. 13(1), pages 92-101, March.
    12. Nurisyal Muhamad & Sofiah Md Auzair & Amizawati Mohd Amir & Md Daud Ismail, 2016. "Measuring Sustainability Performance Measurement System," EuroEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 3(12), pages 182-199, JUNE.
    13. Frank Fogarty & Amy Villamagna & Allen Whitley & Kelly Pippins, 2013. "The Capacity to Endure: Following Nature’s Lead," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(6), pages 1-15, June.
    14. Caetani, Alberto Pavlick & Ferreira, Luciano & Borenstein, Denis, 2016. "Development of an integrated decision-making method for an oil refinery restructuring in Brazil," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 197-210.
    15. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska & Hanna Łosyk, 2020. "An Approach to Assessing Sustainability in the Development of a Manufacturing Company," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-18, October.
    16. Yanfang Zhang & Mushang Lee, 2019. "A Hybrid Model for Addressing the Relationship between Financial Performance and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-15, May.
    17. Zhi-Jiang Liu & Vera Snezhko & Anastasia Kurilova, 2022. "International legal instruments for stimulating green building and construction business: Russian case study," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 157-175, March.
    18. Galbreath, Jeremy, 2017. "Drivers Of Environmental Sustainability In Wine Firms: The Role And Effect Of Women In Leadership," Working Papers 253851, American Association of Wine Economists.
    19. Yong Liu & Bing-ting Quan & Jiao Li & Jeffrey Yi-Lin Forrest, 2018. "A Supply Chain Coordination Mechanism with Cost Sharing of Corporate Social Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-25, April.
    20. María Luisa Pajuelo Moreno & Teresa Duarte-Atoche, 2019. "Relationship between Sustainable Disclosure and Performance—An Extension of Ullmann’s Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-33, August.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01305-x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.nature.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.