A Taste of Earth: Greetings from the Galaxy Garden
Heryann Reyes Ayala
A Taste of Earth: Greetings from the Galaxy Garden
reyesaya@usc.edu
Astronautical Engineering Department
13, December 2021
CHASE & GALAXY GARDEN
TO PLANT A GARDEN IS TO BELIEVE IN TOMORROW
- AUDREY HEPBURN
Context and History
THE IMPACT
OF OUR ACTIVITIES
BIO DOMES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
TECHNOLOGIES
THE FUTURE
THE GALAXY GARDEN | FALL 2021
Neumayer Station
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Total Area: about 4,500 m^2 = 48, 437.6 ft ^2
Climate controlled: about 4,500 m^2 = 48, 437.6 ft ^2
Program: Labs, Living Rooms, Workshops
Population: 50 people
International Space Station
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Current Habitable Volume: 13,696 ft.^3
Pressurized Volume: 32,898 ft.^3
Power generation by Solar Panels (8 Arrays): 75 - 90 kw of power
Population: 10 people
Water recovery systems: reduces crew dependence by 65% - 1 gallon to 1/3 gallon
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Energy Use: 70 watts - required for lights , fans and electronics
Size: 4 ft^3
Water: Provided by sponges, or led through capillary Flow
VEGGIE Unit
HOUSEPLANT OXYGEN:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Ave. Plant Oxygen production (houseplant): 900 ml O2 per day (27 l o2 per month
The ISS has already experimented with the growth of lettuce and the effect of space on the taste buds, so by developing a Galaxy Garden on the ISS we could use the same method and apply it to other systems of spaceflight. Specifically while on the ISS the Galaxy Garden can pose as a research lab for the future applications of more gardens, through expansion.
STEPPING STONE
ISS Integration
"The Future"
INFLATABLE FARM ASTE 2010
The Inflatable "Farm" centrifuge module to equip biologists, psychologists and engineers with the tools required to investigate these questions and more. At a time when humankind has only begun exploring the effects of the space environment on biological systems, it is essential that we not abandon the only empirical research facility in operation today and instead begin vigorously pursuing research in this area that is of vital importance to all humanity.
ORBITAL FARM
Orbital Farms cultivation of agriculture through the use of technology to ensure the widespread availability of food across the planet and potentially in space.
How can we provide nutritional support for humans in space while also contributing to the tourist experience?
ROOT QUESTION
Human Input – Output / Day
Calvin Cycle and Oxygen Release from H2O
Plant Circadian Rhythm Input-Output
Soil Composition
Microbiota - Role of Commensal Bacteria
O2 @Night - Crassulacean Acid Metabolism - CAM
Greetings from the Garden
CONCEPT
Galaxy Garden focuses on the use of sustainable systems to grow more food in space. As space tourism continues to develop, humans will need the sustenance and nutrients to have the energy to thrive and live in the extraterrestrial environment. In addition, it provides new experience of food for the tourists.
Rationale
THE GOAL OF THE GARDEN
Floor Plan
EXTERIOR AERIAL VIEW
INTERIOR GARDEN VIEW
INTERIOR LAB VIEW
360 Garden/ Aquaponics Storage
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
NUMBER OF PLANTS = 108
AREA: (7.5 ft x 15 ft) = 112.5 ft ^2
VOLUME: 112.5 ft ^2 x 8 ft = 900 ft ^2
4 ft^ 3 / 10 people = 180 ft^3 / x people = 450 people
PLANTING UNIT: (2 ft x 3 ft x 30 ft) = 180 ft^2
*If we are aiming to have 40 people, these numbers can provide for 11.25 times
108 plants x 900 mL = 97,200 mL of Oxygen per day
POWER: 4 ft^ 3 / 70 WATTS = 180 ft^3 / x WATTS =
3,150 WATTS (3.15 kW)
3.5 - 4.2 % of 8 Solar Arrays
How else can a garden benefit humans in an extraterrestrial setting?
ROOT QUESTION
As a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic, a vast amount of the population was forced into isolation as a way to keep people healthy and safe. This resulted people being contained in one space for a longer duration of time. In a similar way, the astronauts are isolated in the space station for their own health and safety. How does a garden impact them as well?
Similarity
ISOLATION: THE PANDEMIC AND SPACE
THE GALAXY GARDEN FALL 2021
Impacts
BRANCHES OF HEALTH
Mental
Physical
(Nutritional)
Physiological
EXPOSURE
Exposure to natural settings helps improve the human perceptions of emotional, psychological, and social benefits. Plants are a symbol of life and can influence those around them.
Mental
DECREASED DEPRESSION
Plant filled homes and areas also can boost memory and heighten your attention span, he said. Overall mood improves greatly after spending time in nature.
REDUCED ANXIETY AND STRESS
In high stress times and environments, gardening lends an outlet for keeping the hands and mind busy. Hands-on activities like gardening allow the brain to focus on another task.
TASTING HEALTH
Introduce a variety of different fruits and vegetables that able to be harvested in space to make more diverse meals that will not only fulfill the nutritional needs of humans but also make food less bland for the astronauts.
BREATH OF FRESH AIR
The oxygen produced by the pants can be harvested and used for the space stations or shuttles used for tourism. In addition, the carbon dioxide of the interiors can be ventilated back to the plants making a cyclical connection.
Physical
GREETINGS FROM EARTH
People on long term space missions will be able to feel comfort from the presence of something known: plants. It is not only a reminder of home, but it is also a reminder of life and something organic in the desolate and harsh environment of space. In a way, a garden will be able to connect back the Earth.
GALACTIC HOBBY
The Garden will also create a new attraction to tourism by being able to give people the experience of creating new life in a new environment, and expanding the potential of the space station or shuttle in a positive way. People will be able to give back to their own "environment". In addition it will create a sense of community for the tourists.
Physiological
CHASE CONNECTION
The Galaxy Garden helps expand the field of CHASE because it adds the experience of nature to the extraterrestrial environment. It is similar to bringing green architecture to the concrete jungle of urban cities. It contributes to the space shuttle/station by being a source of food, oxygen, exposure, and hobbies. Considering the effects of space on the tastebuds of the astronauts, astrochefs will be able to harvest a diversity of meals. They would be able to appeal to the new and developing tastes of the citizens all while growing their own ingredients. The Galaxy Garden would also allow for more professions and hobbies such as astrofarmers and cooking. Tourists will enjoy touring the stars to create their own meal and give back to the station, in a sustainable way.
Thank you!
THE GALAXY GARDEN 2021
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