Browsing by Author "Sadler, Phil"
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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.