In this out-of-this-world episode of Urban Pods, we take a giant leap into the future of food systems by exploring the fascinating world of Space Agriculture. Host Dr. R welcomes Dr. Matthew Mickens, a distinguished NASA scientist specializing in plant growth research in controlled environments. We dive into the extreme challenges of growing plants in space, including managing microgravity’s effects on air and fluid dynamics , the necessity of LED lighting systems, and overcoming limited resources (Mass, Volume, Power, Water, and Waste – the “MVP WW”).

The conversation also addresses critical aspects like food safety and the threat of plant pathogens in controlled environments, highlighting the importance of hazard analysis (HACCP) principles. Dr. Mickens shares his incredible career journey, transitioning from lighting materials science to vertical farming, and finally, bringing his commercial CEA expertise back to NASA.