In 2024, Natasha Tsakos was accepted into the NASA L’SPACE NPWEE academy where her team — young, brilliant minds (and strangers to one another) from across the United States, put together by Subject Matter Expertise and NASA Technology Taxonomy's areas— competed for the 1st Prize, won and was awarded a NASA grant to develop a game-changing system for space food in 2025. Their startup is called: Duckweed Labs.


Welcome to Duckweed Labs: Sustaining Life, One Leaf at a(x2) Time

At Duckweed Labs, we’re pioneering a new frontier in sustainable space nutrition—and opening doors for communities on Earth as well. Our groundbreaking Duckweed Protein Supplement Dispenser (DPSD) promises a more efficient, renewable way to keep astronauts healthy on long-duration missions, all while reducing the need for costly resupply flights.


Our Mission

Humanity’s journey into deep space demands creative, science-driven solutions. We’ve tackled one of the biggest challenges—consistent, fresh protein for astronauts—by developing a compact system that grows duckweed, a nutrient-rich aquatic plant. It’s fast, low-maintenance, and brimming with essential vitamins and proteins, making it an ideal dietary supplement in microgravity. Ultimately, these same breakthroughs can help address food scarcity here on Earth.

Who We Are

We’re a diverse, multi-institutional team united by a passion for exploration and innovation. Led by Principal Investigator Thomas Liu—an electrical engineering student experienced in robotics and project management—our group includes experts in mechanical design, genetic engineering, operations, logistics, human factors, and creative design. Backed by a $10,000 seed fund from NASA L’SPACE, we’re leveraging every discipline to bring the DPSD to life and push the boundaries of what’s possible in low-resource environments.

Looking Ahead

We’re proud to spearhead a solution that tackles immediate challenges in space travel while offering a scalable approach to broader issues of global nutrition. As our project advances, we remain dedicated to the principles of collaboration, sustainability, and curiosity—whether we’re orbiting above Earth or rooted in communities in need. Come visit us!