AstroTec

https://youtu.be/hIjA9TMHcDM

https://youtu.be/hIjA9TMHcDM

For the development of this production system, we rely on both the simple Veggie and the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) complex, which already exist. That is why we decided, taking into account the information provided by the NASA space agency on its research, to reinvent both systems into a new and unique one that combines their best benefits.

The system is open. This is because, in this way, the purpose of being able to use the plants to renew the oxygen of the module where they are is simplified and that it does not depend only on the ventilation system. In addition, the direct contact of the crew with them will have a positive psychological effect and will provide a feeling of belonging.

It is also semi-automated, so that the astronauts do not have to be constantly aware of the care of the crop; and foldable, in order to save as much space as possible if necessary. To explain specifically how it works, let's first describe its structure, we need to imagine that we are always looking at it head-on:

Similar to a shelf without sides, it is 2 meters high by 65 centimeters wide, and is made almost entirely of stainless steel, since it is a strong, reliable and easy to sanitize material. This structure will connect the shelves in the following way: the back side will be like a wall, solid. To give it a firm front side, each shelf will have 2-centimeter diameter pipes at its corners that can be folded inside for storage.

Its shelves will be 55 centimeters deep and the space between one shelf and another, that is, the height that separates them, is 50 centimeters (also length of the pipes). The difference of 5 centimeters between the depth of the shelf and the height that separates them is a margin that is created because each of them must also be able to be folded, in this case, upwards. For this, it will be necessary that the thickness of the shelf does not exceed 4.5 centimeters, to be able to fold it without problems. In short, first the pipes are folded inwards and then the shelf upwards.

Four shelves enter each structure, to which a last upper shelf is added with the ability to extend up to 2 meters and fold down. In this way, when the four lower shelves are folded, the upper one unfolds and closes over the others to protect the system from possible blows and keep it clean.

Let us now describe how the irrigation system works. To begin, we are going to clarify that the plants are located in a tray that is removable from the shelf, which we will talk about later. So let's focus on first explaining how it works without rafts. To be able to describe it in an optimal way, we must now assume that we observe the system from one of its sides: what we can see is that the metal wall has a thickness of 15 centimeters.

One side will have valves that will serve to recharge the water from the tanks. Each shelf will have its own, that is, we will need four. They should be 55 centimeters long, 40 centimeters high and 12 centimeters wide and will be made of stainless steel, like the rest of the structure. If we could see it internally from behind, we would observe that, from each one of them, four correctly centered tubes of soft but resistant material come off that will connect it to the shelf. If we look again from the side, the tube travels internally through the shelf, so all we will see are small valves that function as sprinklers. Each tube provides water to four valves, so a shelf would have sixteen in total. The tanks work by injection principle with equipment similar to a pressurizing pump incorporated in it.

On the other side, there will be a touch screen for managing the system software. The hardware will be hidden from view of the crew. There will be a rechargeable battery with sunlight that provides power. Under each shelf you can connect wireless LED light plates with a temperature sensor that will be managed by the software (to fold the system it would only be necessary to remove them previously). Through programming, the frequency of irrigation and light can be defined.

Let's talk now about the trays in which the plants will be located. They will have a width of 60 centimeters, a length of 50 centimeters and a height of 10 centimeters. In the lower part they will have small valves that will be embedded in the corresponding sprinklers, both designed so that, when the tray is not connected, the egress of water or humidity is not allowed. They will have a cap with holes through which the plant will be allowed to grow, guided towards the LED lights by its phototropism. Its composition will be of a totally edible organic matter and soluble in water. To ensure that it does not fall apart in the event of accidental water loss, it will be covered by a gelatinous waterproof and edible membrane. When the tray is connected to the system, the sprinklers come into contact with a phenolic foam that will be inside containing the roots of the plant. The advantages of using this sponge are due to its properties of good drainage and moisture retention, reducing water consumption by 20%, also allowing good oxygenation, it is reusable and being sterile, it improves the health of crops by reducing the incidence of fungi or bacteria. In contact with the sponge, there will be wireless humidity sensors, which will serve to program the irrigation frequency. Depending on the plant and the amount of water it requires, they can be programmed to do it every certain time. We also want to incorporate equipment  that can reproduce specific frequencies for a certain amount of hours so that the plant grows healthily and does not stress when being in a totally unknown environment, such as space and its lack of gravity.

Regarding plant species, we propose to plant edible flowers with nutrients such as iron and potassium, and vitamins B1 and C, which are extremely important. In our opinion the ideal are margaritas or chives. This is because we think that the colors of the flowers could help astronauts emotionally and connect them with a part of their home, planet Earth.

For a better performance of the system, we think that a special module could be designated in the ship, so that the crew can also have an environment to go to and feel at “home”. Because it is a collapsible system, you could build multiple units and grow different species of edible plants, such as lettuce, red pepper, or parsley.

In addition, we consider that our system could be used on planet Earth for places where water is scarce, since it uses little water.

We also believe that it can be improved, for example, placing a filter in the tanks to purify the water, in this way places where there is mostly contaminated water, they would not have to allocate their little drinking water to said system. In addition, since the trays are edible, we would help to avoid waste and offer a nutritious food.

Our system was based on getting the maximum benefits from the already existing cultivation systems proposed by NASA, which are Veggie and Advanced Plant Habitat (APH). We wanted it to be open like the first, since according to research, a more direct contact with astronauts would allow them to increase their mood, lower their stress levels, help their immune systems and generate a connection with planet Earth. In addition, unlike the APH system that contains bottles of carbon dioxide and oxygen, the open system allows a more direct exchange of these substances between plants and astronauts.

With regard to edible trays, we rely on the famous edible plastics, especially the one produced by the London company Skipping Rocks Lab, the idea is that these trays can be covered with a container similar to the one they have, simply that with a greater performance. All this in order that in a crisis astronauts can consume it if the plants die and the packaged food runs out.

Our team has a truly rewarding and inspiring experience with Space Apps. From the people who support, listen and help you at all hours to the feeling of feeling one step closer to the famous NASA. Everything, exactly EVERYTHING, gave us exciting emotions.

Being just teenagers, we learned that it is precisely not necessary to be a professional to carry out such an important project. In addition, we learned to put aside our differences because of our individual opinions; after all that is what matters, “unity is strength”. Despite the little time we had, we learned not to give up and give everything until the last moment.

What inspired us was our vision of the future, one in which space exploration with destinations like Mars will be commonplace. We reflected: what would be the most important thing to consider on these trips, and the first thing that came to mind was that astronauts should eat healthy, therefore we decided to choose a challenge which was related to food. In addition, our team had experience in the management of orchards by hydroponic systems.

The approaches of our project were based on:

• The possibility of saving as much water as possible.
• That the structure occupies the least possible space.
• That the structure is easy to disassemble and transport.
• That the structure has a double utility.
• That the crops have direct contact with the astronauts, thinking about their psychological state.

On the other hand, our team solved the setbacks and challenges through a good organization, which consisted of dividing the times into stages:

• A stage of intense and group work, that is, we work at the same time sharing ideas and information through calls.
• Another stage of individual and shift work, in this way we allowed the other to rest while one continued working.

In addition, our team took up the idea of ​​mutually motivating each other, that is, every time one of them got discouraged the other motivated him, for example by reminding him of our dreams and goals regarding space projects. In this way we were able to successfully meet our challenge.

Lastly and most importantly, we have great gratitude to our families, who supported and helped us in times when we were stuck; the mentor Sebastian Daguanno, a worker at VENG in the Access to Space area, who answered each of our thousands of questions efficiently and at any time; to the guys from “Mars Society Argentina” for offering us lively entertaining and explanatory through the YouTube platform; and above all to NASA itself which is in charge of making this event on a global scale, giving us the opportunity to fulfill our dreams, which before Space Apps, sounded simple fantasies.

Our new goals, thanks to Space Apps, are to be able to spread the word to make space agencies such as CONAE recognized, which is not well known in our own country due to the little interest allocated to the subject; We want to fight to change it and show that if we could carry out a project for large agencies, anyone can achieve it.

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#plants #food #water #hardware

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