May 22nd 2026
This Week in Space 211
Oysters in Space
With Jacob Scoccimerra of Monolith Space
When one ponders the diet of Mars-bound astonauts, oysters don't often come to mind... but they should. As it turns out, the plucky bivalves have much to offer space voyagers, including water filtration and a ready source of protein. Jacob Scoccimerra, formerly of Nanoracks and now with Monolith Space, initiated a research project with students from the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, to design, build, and operate a closed-circuit, automated support environment for oysters in a simulated space analog. It's a fascinating discussion that may leave you hungry.
Headlines:
- SpaceX IPO Filing Reveals Company Finances
- NASA Opens JPL Operations to New Bidders, Eyes Management Shakeup
- Viral Cardboard Star Wars Fan Film Gets a Nod
- SpaceX Announces Crypto Billionaire’s Planned Mars Flyby on Starship
Main Topic: Oysters in Space – Bioregenerative Life Support and Student Research
- Jacob Discusses Monolith Space and Roots in Chemical Engineering
- Origins and Environmental Role of Oysters in Water Filtration
- Applying Aquatic Organisms to Space-Based Life Support Systems
- Harrisburg University Student Collaboration and Prototype Development
- Technical and Biological Challenges of Running Aquatic Habitats in Space
- Educational Outcomes and Cross-Disciplinary Engineering Experience
- Potential Earth Applications and Insights for Aquaculture Industry
- Broader Prospects for Bioregenerative Systems in Space (e.g., other aquatic species, food sustainability)
Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.
Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit
Links
- SpaceX's IPO paperwork has landed. Here's our first look inside the finances of Elon Musk's rocket company
- Shakeup at JPL? Control over iconic NASA center could change for 1st time in nearly 100 years
- This cryptocurrency billionaire will fly SpaceX's 1st private Starship to Mars, but when?
- A YouTuber just recreated the original Star Wars with cardboard, and it's awesome
- Harrisburg University Students Design Oyster-Based Aquaculture System for Space Exploration
- Shell We Go to Space? Prototype System to Study Oyster Biology in Microgravity