Gravity

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dHOii8UVXRFDbUDvSFMPm-Jja0k0-nke/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8GpTVdzRh2K7vcMhBBM9Mweu-vYg2Ob/view?usp=sharing

Link to video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cNcPbgMFmiDfYul_PnzlunF8GJwwfBAo/view?usp=sharing

The project utilizes a modular and scalable aquaponic solution for cultivation of crops in space. The modular nature of the solution enables storage when it is not deployed and is also envisioned to be able to scale up substantially, with connector pipes and stackable extensions on Mars. Through staggered cropping of leaf vegetables and breeding of tilapia in the aquarium at the base of the solution, a healthy supplement of greens and proteins can be produced for the crew, through a self-sustaining system.

Our project serves as a supplemental crop production system that supports crew(s) by providing fresh & organic crops via a modular and scalable aquaponic solution with the goal to satisfy the macronutrient and micronutrient requirements of crews on longer duration missions. 

Solution Design

Aquaponic

Aquaponic is a cultivation technique that incorporates hydroponics (Growing plants in the absence of soil by using mineral rich aqueous solutions) and aquaculture (Breeding of fish). Aquaponics is sustainable, space-saving and water-saving. Aquaponic establishes a perfect symbiotic relationship between fish (an important source of protein) and vegetables (a crucial vitamin and mineral source). 

How does the space aquaponic works? 

1. The fish in the water tank will inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide into the water. The water will be continuously circulated in between the fish tank and the plants grow bed.

2. The plants in the grow bed will then absorb the exhaled carbon dioxide, leaving oxygen-rich water to return to the fish tank. 

3. The fishes will be with food. They will produce ammonia-rich waste. These ammonia-rich waste product will be converted to nitrates by naturally occurring bacteria in the water. The plants will then absorb the nitrates as nutrients. 

4. The plants also plant an important role in filtering and returning clean water to the fish.

Equipment required for the implementation of aquaponic cultivation

1. A fish tank roughly the size of a mini fridge. 

This estimation is made based on the existing size of the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH), the largest and automated plant growth facility on the International Space Station (NASA, 2017).

2. A floating raft platform installed above the fish tank to hold the plants. The rafts can be stacked to reduce space usage.

3. Water pump

It is needed to pump the water from the fish tank to the floating raft platform.

4. LED lights

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) is required to be installed above the plants to guide the plants to grow upward. A magenta pink LED would be ideal since plants mostly reflect green light and utilize more red and blue wavelengths.

5. Polyethylene roof

Polyethylene is a good shielding material because it has high hydrogen content, and hydrogen atoms are good at absorbing and dispersing radiation. In fact, researchers have been studying the use of polyethylene as a shielding material for some time. One of several novel material developments that the team is testing is reinforced polyethylene.

Advantage of aquaponic cultivation

1. Reduces vehicle mass 

Aquaponic does not require the use of soil and fertilizers. 

2. Recycling of water

The plants supply clean water back to the fish tank by absorbing the waste product of the fish as a means of fertilizer. This effectively reduces the water resources needed to be carried from Earth to space.

3. Provide vital nutrients (Multi vitamin, mineral, and protein)

Aquaponic allows the crew to harvest a variety of vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, lettuce, and so on. Not only vegetables are available, protein resources such as fish is supplied too.

Vegetable and fish selections

Most types of vegetables could be grown in a hydroponic environment. However, given with the limited food preparation option in space, vegetables such as lettuce and cabbages that are readily edible are ideal. Vegetables that consume less water are preferred. Some examples includes, lettuces, spinach, watercress, cabbages, and mustard. 

As for fish, Tilapia is the best option to breed in aquaponics because they can adapt to their environment and withstand less desirable water quality. They are resistant to stress, a variety of pathogens, and parasites. Tilapia is a hardy fish and has a diverse diet. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal-based feed. The harvest time for Tilapia is between six and eight months, depending on how warm the water is, how much they are fed, and the size of fish you want to harvest. Tilapias are easy to breed in small-scale and medium-scale aquaponic systems. They don't require lots of dissolved oxygen.

Transportation of vegetable and fish to the space

The seeds of the vegetable will be carried to the space while the fish will be transported in the form of fertilized egg.  

The solution can be started as a small scale solution onboard the shuttle, and further scaled up with connector pipes for the aquarium and stackable extensions for the planting bed.

In conclusion, aquaponic balances the minimization of mass and a food production system that is safe, acceptable, and nutritious. 

We utilized the macronutrient and micronutrient requirement for space flight from the NASA spaceflight human-system standard volume 2 to explore potential crop requirements for the our solution. We also investigated the potential for fishes to be cultivated and breed in space, using some of NASA'S article as well as research papers. We also used information from the Canadian Space Agency on the consumption of food in space.

We were a diverse team with varying backgrounds and experiences, but a curious and keen interest in space. We read up about the various challenges and discussed and voted on the challenge to pursue.

We found the topic on crop production to be a very challenging but interesting challenge. We researched and read up the existing research as well as technologies being tested and deployed. Like a puzzle, we were able to piece together the varying research, technologies and agriculture application to present an aquaponic solution to meet the needs of space travel.

We would like to thank the organizing committees, mentors and everyone who has made this experience possible.

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#cropproduction #food #foodsupply #foodsecurity #growingvegetables #aquaponic

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