China will let astronauts eat rice in space

An experiment for astronauts to use rice worms to feed themselves in the process of conquering space has been carried out at Beijing Air and Space University.

A group of three scientists - two female men - volunteered to stay in the closed laboratory for 105 days to demonstrate the use of rice worms as a major source of protein for long-term space missions.

Chinese team of scientists volunteered in a closed laboratory 105 days

According to Hu Dawei, a research scientist, the experiment was conducted in an artificial biosphere room of 160m ² , divided into 3 compartments, a compartment for the study group's activities and 2 compartments for planting trees. Rice worms contain more than 76% protein, they are used with vegetables. Each person ate a few dozen worms a day after they were raised for about a month, as big as a finger.

Mr. Hu said the three people had never used rice worms before but they still ate, were healthy and happy through the experiment. Rice worms are also processed and used with various spices.

Rice worm contains more than 76% protein

Mr. Hu said: 'The United Nations once suggested using rice worms to feed hungry people like in Africa. So, we think why we can't use it as food in space travel. Rice worm is the cleanest and healthiest food source. ' He said there will be follow-up experiments and hopes that deep rice will be the main food in China's long-term space missions.

In 2009, China commented on the use of rice worms for astronauts but was opposed by Western space agencies on the grounds that astronauts were not comfortable with this form of food.