Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences (Feb 2022)

Large-Scale Crop Production for the Moon and Mars: Current Gaps and Future Perspectives

  • Lucie Poulet,
  • Kenneth Engeling,
  • Tyler Hatch,
  • Sarah Stahl-Rommel,
  • Yo-Ann Velez Justiniano,
  • Sarah Castro-Wallace,
  • Jess Bunchek,
  • Oscar Monje,
  • Mary Hummerick,
  • Christina L. M. Khodadad,
  • LaShelle E. Spencer,
  • Josie Pechous,
  • Christina M. Johnson,
  • Ralph Fritsche,
  • Gioia D. Massa,
  • Matthew W. Romeyn,
  • Aubrie E. O’Rourke,
  • Raymond W. Wheeler

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2021.733944
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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In this perspectives paper, we identify major challenges for space crop production: altered convection in the microgravity environment, scheduling and logistics, crew time and the need for advanced automation, robotics, modeling, and machine learning. We provide an overview of the existing space crop production gaps identified by the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) space crop production team and discuss efforts in current development in NASA projects to address these gaps. We note that this list may not be exhaustive but aims to present the baseline needs for space crop production implementation and a subset of current solutions to the greater scientific community in order to foster further ingenuity.

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