Browsing by Author "Lantin, Stephen"
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Item 1st International Space Ecology Workshop - Research Needs & Roadmap to the Future(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Escobar, Christine; Grubbs, Patrick; Lantin, Stephen; Shevtsov, Jane; Taub, Frieda; Damlo, SherriSelf-sufficient life support systems will be crucial for meeting the physical and mental health needs of crew during long-term, deep space exploration missions and for maintaining a permanent human presence in space. Closing the material loop with food production and waste recycling is necessary to reduce reliance on Earth resupply. Closed ecological systems (CES) can utilize a combination of biological, ecological, and physicochemical processes to support human life. A space habitat can be considered an artificial ecosystem in which human beings exchange energy and material with other system components and their extraterrestrial environment. The inaugural International Space Ecology Workshop was held on October 22, 2022, to promote and organize CES research internationally and to reignite interest in the ecological systems approach to space life support. This workshop brought together engineers, space biologists, and ecologists to discuss the past, present, and future of CES that could enable indefinite, sustainable human exploration of space, as well as sustainable living on Earth. Specific workshop goals were to review research needs and knowledge gained to date, connect active professionals in the field, and plan next steps for closing knowledge and technology gaps. This paper summarizes the proceedings and a Space Ecology Roadmap for prioritizing and guiding future action.Item Sustainable Crop Cultivation in Space Analogs: A BRIDGES Methodology Perspective Through SpaCEA Cabinets(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Souza, Davi; Bandemegala, Sai Tarun Prabhu; Fountain, Luke; Wright, Harry Charles; Moschopoulos, Alexis; Lantin, Stephen; Kainu, Morgan; Buchli, VictorSustainable crop cultivation in space holds paramount significance for the support of life in future long-duration missions. This research explores the development and integration of innovative low-cost proof-of-concept (LC-POC) plant growth cabinets tailored for use in space analog missions. By outlining past and current efforts in space farming, this study introduces the SpaCEA Cabinet using BRIDGES framework, establishing a context for reproducible experiments and innovation in plant growth systems. The SpaCEA cabinets can either be delivered in flat packs or assembled on-site, employing cutting-edge methods like 3-D printing and laser cutting. The main objective is to assess how effectively these structures foster crop growth within analog environments while replicating conditions crucial for space exploration. Employing a multi-faceted approach encompassing technical and qualitative dimensions, this project integrates a qualitative investigation where representatives managing analog stations and analog astronauts will partake in interviews and questionnaires to discern specific requirements and challenges within these environments. Insights gained from these engagements will significantly define the final design parameters of updated SpaCEA plant growth cabinets. The practical applicability of these cabinets emphasizes ease of assembly and transportation, addressing the inherent spatial and logistical constraints associated with space missions. Furthermore, the BRIDGES framework ensures the standardization of hardware, software, and data-gathering elements within a unified structure, which utilizes cutting-edge manufacturing technologies for the prototyping and deployment of these cabinets. The anticipated outcomes of this research include the identification of key design considerations and technical specifications for plant growth cabinets tailored to space farming analog systems. This research is poised to contribute valuable knowledge to sustainable space exploration through the development of interoperable plant growth systems for analog environments, advancing research in space crop cultivation which will make up part of a larger bioregenerative life support system.Item Towards Self-Reliance Beyond Earth: Standardizing Controls for Plant Growth Systems using BRIDGES(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Bandemegala, Sai Tarun Prabhu; Souza, Davi; Lantin, StephenAs humanity progresses towards establishing permanent settlements on the lunar surface and Mars, the demand for precise Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems becomes increasingly critical. This underscores the necessity to address key technological gaps to bolster the long-term reliability of Space Farming (SF) systems. This paper focuses on implementing systematic strategies to effectively control CEA based on space mission scenarios. The BRIDGES methodology is introduced as a strategic and practical approach to tackle inherent reproducibility issues and the extensive data demands in this field. This sets the foundation for understanding the current capabilities of SF research and its transition towards a fully bio-regenerative system independent of physicochemical (PC) processes. A framework called SpaCEA is proposed to standardize the integration of CEA into a space environment, specifically outlining standardization for Illumination Systems (ILS), Atmosphere Management Systems (AMS), Nutrient Delivery Systems (NDS), and the Greenhouse Control Unit (GCU). While the physical implementation may differ among designs, practical operation ranges are defined to aggregate data between designs for future control system development and to ensure operational performance in production. This encompasses varying levels of automation, models, software and hardware solutions, and their integration with existing simulation tools, economic models, and broader habitation systems. In conclusion, the utilization of BRIDGES offers a robust solution in the form of an oriented methodology, to anticipate significant strides towards sustainable and responsive space farming. Thus, this study identifies potential opportunities within the scope of SF and highlights its potential to revolutionize space exploration, paving the way for human self-reliance beyond Earth's boundaries.