PFPU -- Microgravity Precursor Food Production Unit development status

So far, several technical issues related to the development, implementation and operations of food production system for space applications were identified. They include food quality prediction, food safety, integration strategy as well as microbial contamination, humidity and nutrient delivery management. Thus, considering the amount of issues and their respective criticalities, the cost-conscious development of a food complement production unit for space application requires a step-by step approach based on a modular technological demonstrator. PFPU is a study of a modular food complement production unit demonstrator, aiming at a statistically representative production of edible tuberous plants in micro-gravity. The study is performed within the MELiSSA framework under contract with the European Space Agency. It is carried on by an Italian and Finnish consortium led by Thales Alenia Space Italia. Breadboards of the PFPU key subsystems have been designed, built and tested. The remaining subsystems breadboards have been designed and are now under manufacturing, in preparation for integrated system testing. This paper describes the PFPU development status and the associated roadmap.