Browsing by Author "Furfaro, Roberto"
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Item Fresnel-based Solar Concentration Power System for Mars and Lunar Outposts(44th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2014-07-13) Furfaro, Roberto; Gellenbeck, Sean; Sadler, PhilFuture human exploration of the solar system will require architecting and deploying missions that last for years. Oxygen generation and atmosphere revitalization represent a critical component for sustainable long-term space missions. Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) can recycle oxygen, water and produce food. However, power is generally a limiting factor for effective implementation of such systems. Nevertheless, solar concentrating technology can be integrated with BLSS to improve performance and reduce the Equivalent System Mass (ESM). In this paper we present and discuss the development of a Fresnel-based Solar Concentration Power System (SCPS) for future Mars and lunar outposts. SCPS is primarily conceived to operate as energy support system for outposts that comprise a greenhouse-based BLSS as source for oxygen, water and food. The system employed a closed-loop sun-tracking system coupled with a Fresnel-based collector capable of separating the solar irradiation as function of wavelength along the system’s longitudinal axis. A set of fiber optics was employed to distribute the Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) portion of the spectrum to the greenhouse components. In addition, the system was designed to collect infra-red portion of the spectrum and convert it to electricity using a set of PV cells. An initial Fresnel-based SCPS prototype was tested and evaluated at the University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. An analysis was conducted to understand the impact of the system performance on the energy balance of future Mars and lunar outposts.Item The Mars-Lunar Greenhouse (M-LGH) Prototype for Bio Regenerative Life Support: Current Status and Future Efforts(47th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2017-07-16) Furfaro, Roberto; Giacomelli, Gene; Sadler, Phil; Gellenbeck, SeanFuture human-based exploration of the solar system will require architecting, constructing and deploying missions on planetary bodies that last for years. Bio-regenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) may be necessary for permanent outposts (e.g. > 6 months). BLSS uses plant-based biological processes to support the desired number of astronauts. As a complex, multi-component system, BLSS include 1) atmosphere revitalization, 2)water recycling, 3)food (vegetables) production, 4)organic waste recycling and 5)Power generation. In this paper, we describe an on-going effort, now currently in Phase III, called Mars-Lunar Greenhouse (M-LGH). Funded by NASA Ralph Steckler Program, our team has designed and constructed a set of four cylindrical innovative 5.5 m long by 1.8 m diameter membrane M-LGHs with a cable-based hydroponic crop production system in a controlled environment that exhibits a high degree of future Lunar and/or Mars mission fidelity. Here, we report the status of the current research effort, which includes: 1) evaluating M-LGH food production capabilities, 2) evaluating water balance (from liquid irrigation water, biomass and water vapor), carbon balance (from gaseous carbon dioxide and biomass) and energy balance (from electrical, heat, light and food calories produced); 3) providing an analysis of the fertilizer consumption (kg per are per time) and of the required environmental control (spatial/temporal climate uniformity); 4) developing a model for crop production simulation and control; 5) developing a solar energy plant lighting-based power system; 7) developing of innovative water-cooled Chip-On-Board LED lighting systems for space-based poly-cultivation systems; and 8) promote the STEM education access & outreach. Additionally, we report on projected future efforts which include the development and deployment of an analog Deep Space Habitat (DSH) within the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2.Item A Predictive Model For The Production Rates Of A Bioregenerative Life Support System(49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2019-07-07) Gellenbeck, Sean; Furfaro, Roberto; Giacomelli, Gene; Lepore, RobertFuture long-term human space flight will require systems that are reliable, sustainable, and can continue to function for the entire length of the mission from a relatively short two-year expedition to Mars to the indefinite colonization of another celestial body. Life support presents a significant challenge to this concept as current technology would require bringing a prohibitively heavy and bulky amount of supplies and consumables and the management of refuse gets more difficult with mission length. An innovative solution that addresses both problems is the use of bioregenerative life support (BLS). In addition to being reliable, these systems operate at ambient conditions which reduces risk and provides psychological benefits to the crew. However, the inclusion of biology as part of a life support system introduces significant complexity and mathematical models that can accurately predict the production rates of these systems are necessary. One such model that describes the production of a higher plants growth system is the Modified Energy Cascade Model (MEC) (Cavazzoni, 2006). Around this model, a wrapper program was developed to allow a system designer to input parameters for a hypothetical design and receive graphics depicting the production rates of said system over the entire course of the proposed mission for two different harvest strategies. In addition to verification with the original Cavazzoni model, four different BLS system example analogues were analyzed to show this utility and highlight potential shortcomings. This tool could be modified to allow the designer to identify deficiencies in the astronauts’ diets and show the effect of variable environmental conditions. In its current form, this tool would have the most potential benefit during the system and concept of operations (ConOps) design phases of a life support system for a long duration human space flight mission.Item Prototype BLSS Lunar-Mars Habitat Design(44th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2014-07-13) Sadler, Phil D.; Furfaro, Roberto; Patterson, R. LaneSadler Machine Company, working in collaboration with the University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, UA Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering School, and other NASA Steckler Space Grant partners, proposes a future Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) oriented Mars Habitat. Initial human Mars surface exploration missions will most likely be of limited duration (~60 days) due to the narrow return window resulting from the roughly biennial Earth/Mars alignment. Once longer missions are undertaken, this same Earth/Mars biennial alignment will dictate missions of approximately ~500 days with crews spending over a year living on Martian surface. These initial “picnic missions” (~ 60 days) will rely almost exclusively on meals brought from Earth, utilize very small crew quarters, and be supported by physicochemical life support systems (PCLSS). Once the longer duration missions of ~500 plus days are undertaken, crop production in the habitat becomes feasible, which can augment the crew’s diets while recycling their water and revitalizing their atmosphere. BLSS works in concert with Physicochemical Life Support Systems (PCLSS) and adds another level of dissimilar system redundancy for crew life support safety while extending the PCLSS functional longevity. BLSS enables incorporation of ISRU of Mars’ carbon dioxide atmosphere, water, and sunlight into the mission to reduce dependency on stowed or resupplied food and water, and could help support a crew for an unintended extended mission duration. The habitats utilized for an extended presence on the lunar surface and the ~500 day Martian missions will most likely be of common design. Utilizing the earlier BLSS based UA/SMC Lunar Habitat design a comparison of the Lunar and Martian habitats challenges are explored.