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Researchers at Penn State University, led by geoscientist Christopher House, have developed a system using anaerobic digestion to break down human waste into methane gas, which is then used to grow a protein-rich bacterium called Methylococcus capsulatus. This bacterium, which is already used as animal feed on Earth, produces a “microbial goo” that is 52% protein and 36% fat, potentially suitable as a nutritional supplement for astronauts. The process was tested with artificial waste and is not yet ready for spaceflight but shows promise for recycling waste into food for long-duration missions.