ABSTRACT
Our curiosity about outer space and the quest to establish a civilization in space has led scientists to create self-sufficient systems or, as an even better solution, to create in outer space an Earthlike environment like the one we are familiar with. Photosynthetic organisms like plants and microalgae have the capability to provide nutritional needs and create an Earthlike atmosphere to allow humans to survive in outer space, and in particular on Mars. Microalgae have numerous advantages over plants, such as higher growth rate, higher photosynthesis rate, cheaper production (due to the fact that they do not require specific substrates), and higher adaptive capability to extreme conditions, and they can also be used as a fuel source, as biofertilizer, and for water recovery purposes; consequently, they are considered promising candidates for life-support systems. This chapter discusses the history of space missions and how and why microalgae can be used as space food and in biological life support systems based on this history; the future of space missions and space food; and the potential of microalgae for terraforming Mars.
