Here at the Auto Terra Project, we shoot for the stars and hope that if we miss, we’ll land on Mars. After winning multiple collegiate competitions, we decided to enter the Deep Space Food Challenge. We’re pleased to say that we are one of the top 25 US teams in Phase II of the Deep Space Food Challenge. We hope to some day provide the food production system for the Mars Habitat to feed astronauts (and maybe, some day, a Mars colony).
However, after speaking to and surveying many people, we have realized that our system may be able to help those in need here on Earth. Worldwide, 1.9 billion people suffer from moderate to severe food insecurity. Even within the United States, 38.3 million people suffer from food insecurity. Food insecurity is more than just feeling hungry; it can have lifelong effects, especially in kids, who can suffer from drops in grades, lower IQ scores, and chronic physical symptoms. These lifelong effects can contribute to the already prevalent inequality within the world. We hope to begin helping those who need us most by partnering with nonprofits and communities to provide our products to families in need.
Our products may some day benefit even those with less noticeable needs. For those who fear that a disaster may sever their access to food, the Auto Terra system can provide a reliable source of food in the case of catastrophe.
It is our firm belief that everyone deserves access to food, independent of socioeconomic status, supply chains, and even the climate. With our closed system that can produce food no matter where it is placed, we hope to some day solve these issues and many more.
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Sincerely,
The Auto Terra Team