iss as testbed towards food production on the moon

ISS as testbed towards food production on the Moon

Ulrich Kübler, Astrium Space Transportation

Prof. Axel Thallemer, Universität für künstlerische und industrielle Gestaltung Linz

European Advanced Life Support Workshop June 3rd, 2009 Barcelona, Spain

… and on Earth

KOM: Lunar Greenhouse, Linz(A), 11. March 2008

Space Transportation Chinese researchersSay:' Conventionalagriculture has come to an end to provideenough food for a growing population. Space seeds offer the opportunity to grow fruit and vegetables biggerand faster.'

Though scientists couldnot explain why, theysuspect exposure to the cosmic radiation as well as microgravity, could play a part.


Space TransportationScientist with a giantbitter melon

Chilies up to nine inches

Enormous pumkins


Space Transportation

Jack and the beanstalk,

… not just a fairy tale?



Western scientists are sceptical. Nasa researchers who have experimented with seeds in space say there is not enoughbenefit to justify the cost.

Or a toolto marketgeneticallymodifiedfood ?


Space Transportation COSMIC RADIATION

µg

But what actually happens to plants in space ?

To find out we need to focus on all plant growth requirements,

terrestrial … and cosmic

The answer could be crucial for agriculture on the moon and on earth


Space TransportationAPPROACH:Use the ISS to a maximum extendas stepstone towards foodproduction on the Moon and back on Earth.

Verification of plant growth behavior and performance forfood production

Investigation on: - Germination rate /Yield- Photosynthetic rate- Nutritional output- Genetic stability

Definition of plant driven designrequirements for a lunargreenhouse

Materials selection for lunarenvironment

FOOD PRODUCTION RESEARCH IN SPACE Roadmap from the ISS to the Moon and back to Earth



Step 1: Fundamental Research on ISS using BIOLAB & EMCS

Continue fundamental researchwith plant experiments incl. multigeneration experimentsunder:

- controlled environments- variable g-levels- radiation exposure

EMCS

BIOLAB



Step 2: Food Production Research on the ISS.Cultivation of agricultural crops (e.g. lettuce, strawberry, tomato)

under ISS lab conditions,only separated by a gas-permeable membranes forbiocontainment and waterretention

In EMCS under controlledconditions

Research Topics ReadinessCultivation of Food Crops

Modify Rotor forbigger ECs

Variable-G levels yesRadiation Measurements

Add Radiation Monitor



EMCS is a multiuser Facility for gravitationalbiology experiment with 2 exchangeable rotorsproviding:- Environmental control- Variable g level from 0.1g to 2g- Illumination and Observation- Data aquisition and commanding- Water reservoirs- Interface to 4 Experiment Containers each

Mirror Assembly

Rotor E-box

Camera Assembly

RBLSS Box

WaterReservoir

ECEC Interface


Space TransportationA modified EMCS rotor shall allow investigations into the radiation & gravity dependence of growth and reproduction of crops.

EMCS ECs are to small and need to be exchanged for bigger cultivars.After a trade off for nutritional value and resource demands of different crops, strawberries were selected as most suitable firyt candidate.

New ECs were designed for 2 strawberry plants with 2dm² surface each.



Further modifications are needed for

- water management to fulfil be higher demand of larger crops.

- adapted observation & illumination to cover the complete crop

- active balancing to counteract uneven growth

Observation

Balancing

Water Management



PARAMETER VALUE

Particles e, p, alpha

Counting rate up to 10**5 cps

Time resolution 60 and 600 sec

Sensor Module Dimensions 50 x 25 x 22 mm (L x W x H)

Electronics Module Dimensions 170 x 125 x 30 mm (L x W x H)

Power 0,58 Watts

Input voltage 15 V

Weight 0,82 kg PMT sensor modules from Hamamatsu.The particles will be detected by a cylindrical plastic scintillator (not shown) mounted on the PMT window

Astrium & TAS-I/Milano propose a Radiation Monitor device for the measurement of ionizing radiation as integrated part of the EMCS rotor.

- The Monitor will mainly detect charged particles (electrons, protons, alpha particles) and in principle also ions like deuterium, 3He, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.

- On the ISS, the level of x-ray and gamma-ray radiation is very low but, if required, e.g. for other accommodations outside ISS or in planetary applications, the Radiation Monitor can be equipped with sensitive elements for detection of these high energy photons.

Radiation Monitoring


Space Transportation Proposed EMCS Rotor for Food Research

RadiationMonitor (2x)



Simplified EMCS Rotor for Food Production

Using ISS lab environment via permeable biofoil membranes



Step 3: External ISS Research- Plant growth and material testing of inflatable structures underspace radiation with variable pressure conditions

- Rigid shell for radiation protection and pressurized containement



Step 4: Lunar OrbiterInvestigation on germination rate and genetic stability under lunarradiation in low orbit and variable g-levels



Step 5: Precursor Lunar GreenhouseFirst autonomous demonstration of a greenhouse on the moon, based on the results of the ISS and lunar orbiter experimentation.


Space Transportation Plant driven housing requirements

Plant (nutritional, robust)Soil /substrate for

mechanical supportHumidity bufferNutrient/fertilizer supply

Light day/night cycles? (12h/12h, 16h/8h)

CO2 + Water Supply Ventilation

Removal of O2 and C2H2Root aeration with O2

Temperature & rH-control HousingProtection Housing

UV, IR, Cosmic RadiationLow leaks Housing

Planetary protectionReduction of resupply (H20, CO2)

High degree of recycling HousingArtificial Gravity Housing

Housingsimplerobust low mass



Step 6: Moon/Mars GreenhouseDesign of a Space Greenhouse for Human Settlements onMoon, Mars and beyond


Space Transportation Contributions

Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Axel ThallemerFRSA Head of SCIONIC® I.D.E.A.L.Industrial Design Education Austria Linz Universitaet für industrielle und kuenstlerische Gestaltung, Hauptplatz 8, A-4010 Linz, AustriaEmail: [email protected].: 0043 732 7898 250

Giorgio AdamiBusiness Line Equipment LIFE SCIENCE & Mico-gStrada Padana Superiore 29020090 Vimodrone, MILAN (I)e-mail : [email protected] : +39 0225075448

Giancarlo FalcettiIndustrial Unit ElectronicHead of Microgravity ExperimentsStrada Padana Superiore 29020090 Vimodrone, MILAN (I)e-mail :

[email protected] : +39 0225075432

Ulrich KueblerHead of Life ScienceASTRIUM Space TransportationClaude Dornier Str.188090 FriedrichshafenEmail: [email protected] +49 (0) 7545 8 - 5813

iss as testbed towards food production on the moon

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