See Part One here

*Spoiler alert*

---

I see no reason why humans could not find a way to turn Astrophage into food. Since Astrophage is so similar to earth life, being made largely of water. Especially with so many scientists working on the Astrophage problem.³

In the Project Hail Mary the idea is written off as being impossible, since it took centuries for the human race to turn wheat, rice and potatoes into edible foods.³

However, we have access to science that our ancestors could only have dreamed of. Astrophage could be turned into food in several ways:³

1.) Once Astrophage had been killed and sterilised, it could be eaten by humans. Since human are able to eat a wide range of animals and plant life on earth ranging from polar bears to seaweed.²

2.) Alternatively it could be eaten by bacteria that can be eaten by humans. Just as bacteria is used to turn wheat into beer and marmite, and milk into cheese.²

3.) Instead enzymes could be used to breakdown the substance that make up Astrophage into something edible. Take for example Yeast, an enzyme used in the production of bread.²

4.) Lastly, the modern miracle of Gene editing could be used to alter the DNA of Astrophage, in order to make it edible.²

Astrophage might even be a better food sources than the ones we currently have. Since as explained in Project Hail Mary it can grow anywhere either hot or cold and can survive the extreme changes in temperature from the sun to outer space. This would dramatically increase the surface of the planet that could be used for agriculture.²

Furthermore, Astrophage can convert sunlight into matter without losing energy in the conversion process. Since plants cannot capture all of the sun’s energy, Astrophage should produce more food for the same space. Moreover, Astrophage unlike plants would not be limited by growing seasons.²

There are three further benefits from Astrophage: Firstly, it could free up traditional farmland for urban development and wildlife, as desert could be used for agriculture. Although trees are still needed to produce oxygen. Secondly, we could colonise the moon, as Astrophage could be grown there, providing a food source. Lastly, we could just keep going with global warming, since the planet is receiving less sunlight thanks to Astrophage.²

In short, we would be lucky to live in such a time.

So would I recommend?

---

Yes. In fact, I would recommend both the Project Hail Mary and The Martian. The witty writing combined with believability, is an unbeatable combination.

I would not be surprised if the Project Hail Mary and The Martian produce a series of books that are very similar and are best sellers. Andy Weir has hit on a winning formula.¹

By Arran Wilkins © 2021 (text only)

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

---

(1) Weir, Andy (Author). Porter Ray (Narrator). Project Hail Mary (Audible Studios, 2021) Amazon Audible, Available at: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Project-Hail-Mary-Audiobook/B08GB2RLKM [Accessed on 29^th May 2021].

Weir, Andy (Author). And Wheaton, Wil (Narrator). The Martian (Audible Studios, 2020) Amazon Audible, Available at: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Martian-Audiobook/B082BFHCZ5 [Accessed on 29^th May 2021].

(2) Weir, Andy (Author). Porter Ray (Narrator). Project Hail Mary (Audible Studios, 2021) Amazon Audible, Available at: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Project-Hail-Mary-Audiobook/B08GB2RLKM [Accessed on 29^th May 2021].

(3) Weir, Andy (Author). And Wheaton, Wil (Narrator). The Martian (Audible Studios, 2020) Amazon Audible, Available at: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Martian-Audiobook/B082BFHCZ5 [Accessed on 29^th May 2021].

(Image One) WikiImages. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Available at: https://pixabay.com/photos/astronaut-space-suit-space-universe-11080/ [Accessed 13^rd May 2021].

(Image Two) gene1970. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Available at: https://pixabay.com/photos/astronaut-space-planets-astronomy-4968983/ [Accessed 13^rd May 2021].

(Image Three) WikiImages. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Available at: https://pixabay.com/photos/rocket-soyuz-rocket-soyuz-start-11649/ [Accessed 13^rd May 2021].