OrbHab Paper
Considerations In Miniaturizing Simplified Agro-Ecosystems For Advanced Life Support (1996)
ID: 397 Flag Paper
Title: Considerations In Miniaturizing Simplified Agro-Ecosystems For Advanced Life Support
Authors: T. Volk
Journal Name: Ecological Engineering
Year of Publication: 1996
Page Number:
Category: biosphere
Availability: pdf
Detail Page: /papers/397
Web Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11806872_Considerations_in_miniaturizing_simplified_agroecosystems_for_advanced_life_support
BoK Link: [[paper:397]]
Abstract
Miniaturizing the Earth's biogeochemical cycles to support human life during future space missions is the goal of the NASA research and engineering program in advanced life support. Mission requirements to reduce mass, volume, and power have focused efforts on (1) a maximally simplified agro-ecosystem of humans, food crops, and microbes; and, (2) a design for optimized productivity of food crops with high light levels over long days, with hydroponics, with elevated carbon dioxide and other controlled environmental factors, as well as with genetic selection for desirable crop properties. Mathematical modeling contributes to the goals by establishing trade-offs, by analyzing the growth and development of experimental crops, and by pointing to the possibilities of directed phasic control using modified field crop models to increase the harvest index.
Title: Considerations In Miniaturizing Simplified Agro-Ecosystems For Advanced Life Support
Authors: T. Volk
Journal Name: Ecological Engineering
Year of Publication: 1996
Page Number:
Category: biosphere
Availability: pdf
Detail Page: /papers/397
Web Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11806872_Considerations_in_miniaturizing_simplified_agroecosystems_for_advanced_life_support
BoK Link: [[paper:397]]
Abstract
Miniaturizing the Earth's biogeochemical cycles to support human life during future space missions is the goal of the NASA research and engineering program in advanced life support. Mission requirements to reduce mass, volume, and power have focused efforts on (1) a maximally simplified agro-ecosystem of humans, food crops, and microbes; and, (2) a design for optimized productivity of food crops with high light levels over long days, with hydroponics, with elevated carbon dioxide and other controlled environmental factors, as well as with genetic selection for desirable crop properties. Mathematical modeling contributes to the goals by establishing trade-offs, by analyzing the growth and development of experimental crops, and by pointing to the possibilities of directed phasic control using modified field crop models to increase the harvest index.