Greenhouse Module for Space System

This feasibility study has been carried out to investigate and develop the characteristics of a greenhouse module for a future lunar base

ABSTRACT

To increase the possibilities for humans to explore space, the development of bio-regenerative life support systems is essential: these systems must fulfil all human needs to sustain a sufficient living condition. In this contest, a greenhouse module is the fundamental part of every concept for a stable and independent base in future space missions. Indeed a greenhouse can (re-)generate essential resources for humans by closing different loops within a habitat, like waste water recycling, CO2 reduction, food and O2 production.
Following this aim this feasibility study has been carried out to investigate and develop the characteristics of a greenhouse module for a future lunar base. This project has been coordinated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and it is embedded in the MELiSSA framework of ESA research projects.

To investigate and define the technical concept of a greenhouse module on the Moon connected to an already existing habitat, different subsystems have been identified: Design/ Structure of the Greenhouse, Air Management System, Plant Health Monitoring & Quality Assurance, Nutrient Delivery System, Illumination System and Thermal/ Power Control System. Each one of these subsystem has been simultaneously developed and then combined together.

During this project EnginSoft, thanks to its experience in the field of Heat Ventilation and Air conditioning (HVAC), has worked on the Air Management System and on the interface with the habitat infrastructure. In this article we will focus on these aspects.