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Optimized crop growth area composition for long duration spaceflight.
1Institute of Astronautics, Department of Aerospace and Geodesy, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching, Germany.
Life Sciences in Space Research
|July 20, 2021
Summary
Optimizing crop growth areas for space life support minimizes land use for nutrition. A diverse crop mix of 57 m² provides balanced nutrients, outperforming soybeans and reducing system mass.
Area of Science:
- Space Exploration
- Biological Life Support Systems
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Optimizing crop growth areas is crucial for efficient biological life support systems in space.
- Current crop selections may not be the most efficient for nutrient supply and system mass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal crop composition and area for supplying human nutritional needs in space.
- To minimize the equivalent system mass (ESM) of plant growth chambers (PGC) and their impact on the environmental control and life support system (ECLSS).
Main Methods:
- An optimization algorithm was used to calculate minimal crop growth areas based on nutrient content and growth rates.
- Crop compositions were analyzed using the Life Support Trade-Off Tool (LiSTOT) to assess ESM.
- Mass balance analysis of carbon within the ECLSS was performed.
Main Results:
- A diverse crop mix (drybean, rice, snap beans, sweet potato, wheat, white potato) requires 57.04 m² for balanced macronutrients.
- Soybeans are inefficient for protein and fat productivity, requiring 164.15 m² for full nutrient supply.
- Optimized crop areas with LEDs and urine as nutrients reduced break-even time to 14.6 years.
Conclusions:
- Optimized crop compositions offer significant advantages in nutrient supply, ESM, and break-even time compared to previous studies.
- Wheat and white potatoes offer the lowest ESM but a less balanced nutrient profile.
- Further research can refine crop selection for enhanced long-term space missions.
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