Team Gaia

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vPFKoIcra989lNmTp93fSzr-zpRsshtL/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110508908353583655277&rtpof=true&sd=true

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1woDn5Xd3bYnuYOfqFPr4w4f-RW33f775/view?usp=sharing

The main function of our project is the cultivation of complementary food to the diet of the crew members, for this purpose it will be used of controllers and actuators in the system in order to reduce the human action necessary to maintain stability in the system. Among the variables to be controlled are:

·        Ideal temperature;

·        Infrared radiation;

·        Ultraviolet Radiation;

·        Humidity;

·        Required amount of nutrients;

·        Necessary gases;

·        Control of the present microorganisms population.

               Each of these variables would have a specialized individual sensing and actuators.

Planting techniques and methodologies adopted

               In order to facilitate and improve planting, germination and growth of species will adopt the following practices:

Application of planting hydrogel

The planting hydrogel is a water-retaining polymer that, incorporated into the soil or substrate, absorbs and retains large amounts of water and nutrients, possessing the ability to gradually release to the plant as a function of absorption-release cycles, exactly where the plant needs it: in the root region. This polymer is able to retain nutrient-rich solutions and active ingredients in its internal "pockets," and this pure water intake/solutions occurs thanks to electrolyte reactions that are benefited by the electrical charges in the solutes. an exemple can be seen as handmade illustrated

Figure 1 - scheme about the plant location

             The application of this product brings several benefits for being self-irrigated, thermal insulator, biodegradable and having neutral pH, it reduces costs with irrigation, prevents leaching of nutrients and pesticides, besides bringing increased crop productivity. In experiments carried out at CREUPI (Centro Regional Universitário de Espirito Santo do Pinhal), it was observed an increase in productivity in 18% of the planting of pear oranges at 8 years of age, 55% of potatoes and 35% in the cultivation of papaya papaya.

Application of Acrylic Resin in Seeds

               The application of specific acrylic resins can be very efficient in the microbiological protection of seeds. Acrylic resins, such as acrylic/styrene copolymer in emulsion, can act as special coatings for fertilizer additives, promoting protection to the additive and avoiding the formation of powder and control of release of additives in the soil.

Biochemiclas and Biological Assets

Biopesticides have been shown to be very efficient applied to food production. There are different types of biological products, those of microbiological basis have as biological active fungi, bacteria and viruses that infect and eliminate organisms to affect crop productivity. It is necessary that the formulation of these products maintain the survival of microbiological agents, which are more sensitive to solar radiation, chemicals, pH, humidity and temperature. Generally, adjuvants are applied to overcome such adversities

Presence of Beneficial Bacteria

Bacteria belonging to the Methylobacteriacae family identified in different locations aboard the ISS (International Space Station) can help help plants withstand stressful farming situations in this environment. Studies suggest that these species are involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, tolerance to abiotic stress, promotion of plant growth and biocontrol activity against plant pathogens. Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran and Dr. Nitin Kumar Singh of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said the strains discovered may have biotechnologically useful genetic determinants for growing crops in space.

Layout and Location

Based on future models of manned spacecraft to Mars, a layout was developed taking into account the need to minimize occupied spaces. With this in mind, a layout is proposed that uses spaces already present in the structure of the projects of the ships, thus the chosen location was the "corridor" of passage between the environments, as handmade illustrated in the figure below.

Figure 2 - Tube compartments model

As seen, the model used as a base has 3 levels, each being a sub-areas and an A0 handling room. Areas A1 to A3 are distinct and each will have different plant species. At level A1 would be plants that grow faster (e.g. arugula or watercress - 10 to 15days). In A2, species with intermediate times (such as lettuce - 30 to 60 days) will be established and in A3 this variable of germination time and plant growth would tend to be longer (such as carrot, tomato or potato - 120 to 150 days). Thus dividing the 3 plantations with different harvest times and ensuring that even if any end up getting lost, they would still have two more to support the nutrition of the crew.

The system would have a series of rows of layers of earth (about 60 cm wide each) that would receive a treatment (handmade figure 3), having the addition of hydrogel, responsible for ensuring a greater water retention in the substrate and greater nutrient composition.

Figure 3 - Level layout

It would also have several sensors of ultraviolet radiation, infrared, temperature, humidity and the percentage of gases present that would serve to inform the crew of the conditions and health of the plantation, as well as a system of artificial lights for its growth and a system of pipes (which would supply the plants with the necessary nutrients as well as regulate the amount of water requested) all automatically according to the type of species selected for the database present in the A.S.I.E. controller.

Finally, area A0 would be a specific cabin/sector for pre- and post-cultivation handling, where hydrogel and soil preparation, seed or plant preparation would be performed. Allowing an environment with the necessary tools and utensils, as well as storage space. In this compartment there will also be a vacuum dehydration and sealing machine allowing the stock of the food produced, preventing waste from occurring, being possible to store that food for later when the pre-packed foods have been largelyconsumed.

The idea of this system is precisely to serve as a supplement for food, not replacing it or being only a second option. The intention is that it be consumed next to the food that is being taken. Below is the final model of the prototype that was developed using the AUTOCAD software version 2021.

Figure 4 - Final model developed usinsg AUTOCAD.

Assuming that this ship, with 3 divisions of levels in which this passage structure is present, had 4 people on the crew, this system would be part of their supplementary feeding, ensuring that there is a food source by the end of the trip.

The fact that the system is being adapted for this passage, despite having a focus on the use of space, does not influence only this aspect, but does not help only the nutritional health of the crew. This system would also help in the mental health of astronauts, as they would have a daily contact with the plantation, even if only accompanying them visually during their growth, the idea of the project that the barrier of protection of plants is transparent, allowing visualization whenever they use the passage runner. Taking as reference research conducted by Harvard University and Brigham and Women's Hospital environments with more green area decrease risks of psychological diseases and a research conducted by the academic journal Cities pointed out that living in environments with plants brings improvements in well-being and stress relief.

We used data on how NASA has currently planted species on the space station, thus creating a controlled environment capable of simulating the necessary so that plants can develop without further problems. In particular, based on VEG-04 and PHC

Participating in Space Apps is an exciting and challenging experience. This feeling of discoveries and new technologies has always interested us a lot. Having the chance to delve deeper and get to know more about this theme of space missions would be the perfect opportunity for us to be able to unite the development of a new system with greater crew well-being. We believe that the development of new technologies for a higher quality of life is the future of our planet, using our creativity and invention capacity to be able to help people and develop us as a society. 

During the challenge we were able to better understand the needs and care needed to grow species in unfavorable environments, as well as we were able to develop better team communication skills, work organization and presentation skills without speech.

Our approach on the subject can be divided into 2 main steps The first stage of our project was the research and collection of data on the cultivation and nutrition of plants in hostile environments and how existing greenhouses work in spacecraft. From there, inspired by Lunar GreenHouse, we had the idea of building a greenhouse that is practical, with a greater food variety, and on top of that occupying a space that within the aircraft reinforcing a healthy and sustainable life. In the second stage, we focus on making our project efficient and sustainable because long journeys require an effective use of food. For this, a dehydrator was adopted so that, as the harvests are made, it can store these foods in vacuum packaging, avoiding waste.

One of the first challenges encountered was the complexity of the theme and the time presented for the solution, we were able to overcome this setback with a good distribution of tasks among the team members. We can mention as a setback, the need for members to have to be absent during the time of the challenge resulting from family problems, and for this the option adopted by the team was the redistribution and division of tasks, to minimize the effects of this event.

Team Gaia thanks all members of the organization, who have always been willing to assist us, both during the execution time as well as with the mentors and their lectures. We also thank the family members of the team, who were fully supportive of the members, ensuring that everything was finalized and executed in the best possible way.

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