The project focuses on producing bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) – a chain of carbohydrate molecules made by certain types of bacteria. These ultrafine fibres form into a matted network that is very strong, flexible, and absorbent. This makes it great for things like medical wound dressings, eco-friendly packaging, and wearable fabrics.
BNC is grown conventionally in fermentation factories where the bacteria are fed continuously with sugar. But when resources are limited, harnessing sunlight through photosynthesis may be more sustainable. An innovative solution integrates microalgae, a plant-like microbe that can turn light into energy-rich compounds, which could then feed the bacteria. The resulting co-culture of microbes would take in carbon dioxide and light and spit out BNC and oxygen.
This approach could transform how essential materials are made during long-duration space missions, where traditional manufacturing and supply chains are not an option. Principal Investigator Dr David Hooks said: “As missions grow longer and more complex, the need for sustainable, on-demand manufacturing solutions is becoming critical. This project integrates New Zealand science into global efforts to develop space-ready biotechnologies.”
BNC is already used in industries ranging from healthcare to packaging, thanks to its remarkable properties - including strength, elasticity, water retention, gas exchange, and toxin filtration. Senior Scientist Dr Scott Knowles said: “We will demonstrate how to grow BNC from minimal resources and study how microgravity affects the structure and properties of the nanocellulose, potentially revealing new capabilities for use in space and on Earth.”
Collaborators in the venture are AgResearch, the Cawthron Institute, and Helogen Corporation, a space biology and infrastructure company. They will first develop a co-culture bioreactor system under laboratory conditions before miniaturising it and launching the tiny lab as an autonomous satellite into low-Earth orbit.
To study the material, the team is developing advanced sensors and detectors that will monitor the formation and properties of BNC both on earth and in orbit. Data from the space-based experiment will be sent back to earth and compared with results from the ground-based lab to understand how space conditions influence the material.
AgResearch’s involvement is a natural fit.
With decades of experience in fibre science - particularly wool and keratin - AgResearch brings deep expertise in how fibres grow, behave, and can be transformed into novel materials. While BNC is based on cellulose rather than keratin, the molecular similarities make this a logical extension of AgResearch’s capabilities.
In addition, AgResearch has long been immersed in fermentation science, from rumen microbiology to food and precision fermentation. This project builds on that foundation, applying fermentation knowledge to a new frontier.
And while space might seem far from the farm, it’s not so distant from pastoral agri-tech. Technologies like satellite navigation for precision farming, remote imaging for land use, and methane-monitoring satellites are already part of the agricultural landscape. By participating directly in space technologies, AgResearch is ensuring it remains engaged and hands-on with the future of science and innovation.
This initiative supports the growth of New Zealand’s $2.5 billion space economy, merging cutting-edge research with commercial innovation to drive future growth. It also promises to inspire new industries and applications in both space and terrestrial settings.
