𓆏-Plantamania-𓆏

https://view.genial.ly/6159b39e6b74d60dcc262446/video-presentation-space-videopresentation

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hJayB4H3oZmL3tSd04NpUXe1B25WRNMr/view?usp=drivesdk

Being faced with the challenge of needing to maintain crew health and performance, supporting the nutritional requirements of a crew 4/6 members, we created the following solution:

The basic idea consists of creating this machine which is 70cm x 70cm wide (plus 12cm of the door) and 2 m long (approximately, it depends on the height of the spaceship). It consists of a structure with 5 drawers made of polycarbonate (due to its light weight, protection from radiation and because of it not being toxic) and held with a structure made of titanium. It also has on the side a section in which is the water pump, the electrical part and the carbon dioxide filter (all of these will be explained later), among others.

We have all the exact measures we used for this model, in case they are necessary in a future.

This structure holds the water and seeds, in which different crops will be grown using 3 different methods, hydroponics, aeroponics, an “traditional” soil planting. There will be 7 different crops which have been carefully chosen because of their growth time, from 3 to 5 months, so as to plant many crops at the same time and have enough supplies:

• Hydroponics: lettuce, spinach, kale, chicory > roots will be in water rich in nutrients
• Aeroponics: green beans in order to take advantage of the door space > by a tube which sprays nutrients to roots
• Soil (using as less soil as possible): microgreens, broccoli and arugula. >

These will be organized taking into account the nutrients and temperature needed. In order to replace sunlight, ultraviolet light will be used and tubes will distribute water and nutrients. Next to it, there is one section that includes a water bomb that will enable water to circulate and stay clean. All the crew members will be required to do is simply add nutrients to this bomb.

The machine has an air circulation system which enables plants to absorb the carbon dioxide the crew exhale, after going through a filter, and transform it into oxygen.

Additionally, it has a control software which indicates the crew the plants situation and if there is any problem, as well as helping maintain the mini ecosystem that will be generated in each drawer, with the different conditions needed, so that it makes it easier for the crew. Furthermore, it has 4 wheels and a system to stop them from advancing.

Moreover, at the beginning of the trip, the drawers can be used to carry other necessary things, like food, and while they used this objects, crops can begin to be planted, so that they are always being used.

Regarding gravity, it won't be a problem on space due to the fact that roots grow towards nutrients and stems towards the light.

We used information from a huge variety of sources, going from nasa pages to BBC newspaper.

• https://www.bbc.com/mundo/vert-fut-43065859> from this page we took the most nutritive plants and why are they so helpful
• https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/veggie_fact_sheet_508.pdf > from this page we inspired and found out that there are other successful models of this solution.
• https://www.nasa.gov/content/growing-plants-in-space > from this page we found out what happens with gravity on space
• https://hidroponia.mx > from this page we found out information about hydroponics
• https://modernfarmer.com/2018/07/how-does-aeroponics-work/ > from this page we discovered about aeroponics and how it works.
• https://plastitec.mx/5-razones-para-usar-laminas-de-policarbonato-en-invernaderos.html > from this page we got the idea of which material to use

Our experience was highly successful, as we learned lots of things we never before imagined it would happen, which went from biology to physics, from design to architecture and most important, how to create life in space. We chose this challenge as thinking about life in space is something we found really intriguing, considering how to make plants grow in an efficient way. To make it better, we were able to get a different point of view, to experience and think about situations we are not used to face in our daily lives. Each time we faced a challenge, we were able to call one of the mentors and benefit from their useful help.

1. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/veggie_fact_sheet_508.pdf
2. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/advanced-plant-habitat.pdf
3. https://www.tmahlmann.com/2017/02/veggie-advanced-plant-habitat-nasa-ksc/
4. https://www.nasa.gov/content/growing-plants-in-space
5. https://modernfarmer.com/2018/07/how-does-aeroponics-work/
6. https://hidroponia.mx 
7. https://www.nasa.gov/content/growing-plants-in-space
8. https://www.bbc.com/mundo/vert-fut-43065859
9. https://plastitec.mx/5-razones-para-usar-laminas-de-policarbonato-en-invernaderos.html

• Genially
• Sketchup
• Paint
• Paint 3D
• Drive

#nasa #marssociety #plantamania #space #plants #lifeinspace #mars #hackathon #water #challenges #argentina

This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.