The European Space Agency has launched a new program that could have astronauts survive on a protein powder made from “thin air” and urine during long missions, the agency said in a press release.

The pilot program aims to test the possibility of using a new protein powder called Solein, which requires air, microbes and electricity to create.

The creation of the powder involves a bacterial culture that is fed with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen-filled urine.

The substance is being developed with Solar Foods , a Finnish food technology company. The goal with this new technology is to recycle resources produced by the crew and future missions’ habitat life support systems.

The European Space Agency has begun funding a project to develop the protein powder that could e

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