Science at theUM [S03-ep12]: Fish on the Moon

[Podcast] - Published on December 22, 2023 in Science and Society

This week on *A l’UM * Science, Cyrille Przybyla talks to us about space aquaculture—or how to raise fish on the Moon. A in-depth interview for the final episode of *A l’UM * Science in 2023. A program co-produced with Divergence FM and broadcast every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on 93.9.

In 2015, astronauts on the International Space Station tasted the first lettuce grown in space. Since then, radishes, wheat, and even chili peppers have taken root at an altitude of more than 400,000 kilometers. It’s a luxury when most of the food available on board is irradiated, freeze-dried, or canned—but it’s not enough to satisfy hunger either, especially with future missions to the Moon on the horizon.

So how can we ensure these astronauts get their recommended intake of protein—especially animal protein—vitamins, and omega-3s? Thanks to fish! Except that, unless there’s a miraculous catch, you’ll agree there’s little chance of spotting even a fish’s tail in the Sea of Serenity. It was to address this lunar challenge that our guest pulled his hands out of the water and reached them toward the sky. Cyrille Przybyla is a marine biologist at the Ifremer L-3AS laboratory and the Marbec laboratory; he specializes in integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), and what he proposes borders on magic, since it involves sending fish eggs into space to raise them…on the Moon.

At "UM : Science," here's the lineup—let's get started!

Co-production: Divergence FM / University of Montpellier
Host: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview: Aline Périault / Lucie Lecherbonnier
Director: Alice Rollet

Listen to the show “A l’UM la science” on Divergence FM 93.9

Keywords: InUM to Science, Research, Science, Company