As well as brewing beer here on Earth, Budweiser has its sights set on another planet entirely with 'Bud on Mars.' Ultimately, Budweiser hopes to become the first company to brew beer on Mars. To initiate this plan, the brand will be sending two barley-based experiments via SpaceX’s upcoming cargo supply mission to the International Space Station.
These experiments will focus on barley seed exposure and testing barley germination in preparation for beer-brewing on the Red Planet. As Budweiser notes, they research conducted also has the chance to "provide valuable information on the production of barley and the larger agricultural community here on earth."
For the development of its microgravity beer, Budweiser is working with the Center for Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), which manages the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory.
Martian Beer Experiments
With 'Bud on Mars,' Budweiser is Sending Barley Experiments to the ISS
Trend Themes
1. Interplanetary Agriculture - Breweries are exploring the potential use of new agricultural technologies in space to eventually expand their business beyond earth.
2. Sustainable Agriculture - By exploring new ways to grow crops off-earth, companies like Budweiser are pioneering sustainable agricultural techniques that can have a positive impact on earth.
3. Space Commercialization - Budweiser's initiative to brew beer on Mars serves as an example of space commercialization in which companies are exploring new ways to conduct business off-earth.
Industry Implications
1. Beverage - The beer industry is exploring the potential of new agricultural technologies to grow crops in space, open new markets and eventually expand the business beyond earth.
2. Agriculture - Developing sustainable agricultural systems could have benefits on earth and provide valuable insights that would enable agriculture to advance in space.
3. Space Exploration - Companies such as Budweiser collaborating with space research institutions and exploring new ways to conduct business in space are making space exploration commercially viable and economically sustainable.