High-Level Project Summary
We developed a machine that will provide crop to astronauts. The challenge is solved as our system is deployable, flexible (details are reattachable), allows to grow many plant types (almost all plants are appropriate) at the same time, doesn't use soil, thus saving weight and space, it is lightweighted itself, plants are protected from radiation and kept warm, water loop is closed, uses space that previously had been used by pre-packaged food. It is important because system doesn't require too much time for crew to take care of it, yet the crew gains pleasure from taking care of it by using "Cut and come again" technique and chewing on something after a diet on space pre-packaged food.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
In our reservoir (1st level hexagon) there is a certain volume of air and water with nutrients solution.
We have a water pump with six tubings which are leading water to a third level hexagon. As we are in space water pump uses its power to mix water with air and make it flow down.
The light from the LED lights doesn't reach water, so there are no bacteria or algae to be found.
Cap keeps water from levitating
Through tunnel we add nutrients to our solution
When crop is ripe we reattach the doom to get the food
Silica aerogel blankets protect from radiation and keep temperature nice & warm.
Benefits:
Uses hydroponics nutrient film technique
Has a closed water loop (condensated water accumulates on doom walls)
Further on in developing our system we consider generating ecosystem inside the reservoir. Ecosystem will have seaweed that will absorb harmful substances (for example laminaria) and tardigrates (as an example) that will feed from dying parts of plants. This ecosystem will provide nutrients.
Space Agency Data
We used lot of information from nasa.gov website, unfortunately I can't find all of the links now, but some of them are in "references"
Hackathon Journey
Me and my team enjoyed it a lot! From the moment we saw have seeds will travel challenge we initially agreed on it as somehow it attracted all of us! I would like to thank especially your Ambassador ohero as she helped me a lot in developing our solution!
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrient_film_technique
https://www.nasa.gov/content/growing-plants-in-space
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/veggie_fact_sheet_508.pdf
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/advanced-plant-habitat.pdf
https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/pages.ashx/1661/7%20Ways%20the%20International%20Space%20Station%20Helps%20Us%20Study%20Plant%20Growth%20in%20Space
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/glenn/2021/project-examines-how-to-water-plants-in-space
https://physicsworld.com/a/aerogel-insulation-could-help-in-regional-terraforming-on-mars/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20aerogel%20is%20effective%20at,%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20tells%20Physics%20World.
Global Judging
This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.