How Astronauts Will Survive In Space

Food Procurement

Besides the conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen, plants have been studied extensively to see if farming is possible in space. The vast majority of food eaten in space has been brought from Earth – either hauled along or delivered by another craft. Because of this, long term space travel or planet colonization has not been possible. Very few plants have been grown in space. Space farming is much more variable than terra or Earth farming. Radiation, temperature fluctuation, irregular lighting, lack of gravity, and poor air circulation are all factors that have to be controlled (unlike on earth). Aeroponics or artificial gravity may be the only way space farming could ever be possible. Aeroponics may be a way to solve many issues associated with traditional farming in space. Water and nutrient dispersal have been an issue with traditional dirt growing techniques in the past when in microgravity. The water based nutrient medium plants can be grown with does not have these problems. Another benefit of growing plants aeroponically is that the water used to grow the plants can be used in many different ways, whereas dirt has only one use. Using a nutrient mist is much easier than using liquids or dirt and has many advantages. Aeroponically grown plants receive all of the oxygen and carbon dioxide available to the root system, require half as much water as plants grown hydroponically, and require twenty five percent of the nutrients when compared to hydroponics. Eliminating dirt, and a large static amount of water reduces weight and space required exponentially for farming. Aeroponic greenhouses are a more efficient use of space as they can be oriented in any direction or position in microgravity.

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Greenhouse modules could easily be assembled in space, pressurized, and then seeded for portable farming, then disassembled when food stores are replenished. Aeroponic growing is a new and developing branch of hydroponics – in the future astronauts may be able to aeroponically grow all or most of their food in space. Eliminating the need for supply shipments and extending the length of time astronauts can travel untethered to Earth. The reliability and diversity of plants grown aeroponically will have to improve drastically if Astronauts are going to be able to depend on space farming for their sustenance. However, aeroponic greenhouses may be the future to extending space travel and reducing the amount of food astronauts will have to bring with them for survival in space