Ralph Fritsche, former the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Crop Production Project Manager, is leading the effort to develop sustainable and reliable fresh food systems in support of long duration space missions beyond low Earth orbit as part of the Deep Space Food Consortium.

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Mr. Fritsche began his career with NASA in 1989 and has supported the US Manned Space Program in various engineering and operational roles. He is a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and earned a dual BS degree in Physics and Space Science from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1979.