This paper is published in Volume-6, Issue-4, 2020
Area
Science
Author
Saranyaa Kashyap
Org/Univ
Delhi Public School, New Delhi, Delhi, India
Pub. Date
19 August, 2020
Paper ID
V6I4-1408
Publisher
Keywords
Space, Farming, Aeroponics, Hydroponics, Soil Based Bioregenerative Systems, Microgravity, Agriculture, Mars, Moon, Soil, Nutrient Control

Citationsacebook

IEEE
Saranyaa Kashyap. Soil Based, Aeroponic and Hydroponic Systems in Space with Microgravity and Hypogravity Conditions, International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, www.IJARIIT.com.

APA
Saranyaa Kashyap (2020). Soil Based, Aeroponic and Hydroponic Systems in Space with Microgravity and Hypogravity Conditions. International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 6(4) www.IJARIIT.com.

MLA
Saranyaa Kashyap. "Soil Based, Aeroponic and Hydroponic Systems in Space with Microgravity and Hypogravity Conditions." International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology 6.4 (2020). www.IJARIIT.com.

Abstract

Colonizing space in the future is a widely discussed topic in this generation, and sustaining it requires a strong agricultural system in the hypogravity and microgravity conditions. Potential agricultural systems have been considered to be put into action since Tsiolkovsky’s works in the early 20th Century. Some of these systems include soil based hydraulics and bioregenerative systems, hydroponic and aeroponic systems which are suitable means to support plants in lower gravity conditions. Testing and data collection on soils and other controls have been done for each method by NASA, Kyushu University etc; and it has been evaluated along with results broadly in terms of input and output factors. The input includes conditions such as water (or medium such as soil), nutrient control, atmospheric control, temperature, humidity and output refers to the yield received. The Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) Program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre did hydroponic testing that focused on controlled environment production of wheat, soybean, potato, lettuce, sweet potato etc. Further experiments of Silverstone in Biosphere 2 tested the growth of crops in a Martian-like environment that could fulfill the calorie requirement of a four person crew. At Kyushu University, aeroponic nutrient delivery is tested in a microgravity plant growth unit containing radish seeds. The effect of gravity has also been brought about in each method where soil based agriculture loses points due to the toxic gas emissions and suffocation of roots. Even in the comparison of efficiency between aeroponic and hydroponic systems, aeroponic systems are more suitable than soil based space agriculture. A relative weighted comparison between hydroponics and aeroponics reveals that aeroponics is a slightly more efficient system due to higher nutrient control, less space consumption, high nutrient intake, low water requirement, less nutrient wastage, fast growth and germination rate, fewer chances of disease transmission and better utilization of water supply.