Summary

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) foresee extension of exploratory space missions to the Moon, Mars, Venus and beyond. To reach these outer locations will require development of a range of advanced technologies including life support systems. Food represents one of the most crucial components of life support, as the ability to supply safe, nutritious and organoleptically pleasing meals to space flight personnel for the duration of their mission will be of paramount importance in maintaining crew functionality and morale. In this Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, Infoscitex Corporation will further develop an advanced barrier film, ElastiGlass, which will enable 3-to-5 year shelf life. This technology will also provide the added benefit of reducing the logistic burdens associated with waste handling, and minimizing package weight and storage space requirements. During this proposed program Infoscitex will modify the Phase I proof of feasibility barrier coating formulations to achieve the best combination of minimal oxygen and water vapor permeation, and maximized elongation properties to obtain the best of product durability. Prototype barrier films and subsequent food storage pouches will be fabricated, filled with thermostabilizable foods and tested for shelf life capabilities.