3D Printed, AI Controlled BioPods Can Grow Food in Space
upstart writes:
3D Printed, AI Controlled BioPods Can Grow Food in Space:
As we prepare for a future in space where crewed missions are expected to reach Mars and we begin settling on our Moon and other planets, the issue of supplying food in space crops up. Carrying large quantities of food aboard spacecraft might not be feasible and the environment on these space rocks is likely to be hostile to agriculture.
[Interstellar Lab] uses aeroponics - an advancement over hydroponics - and uses mist as a soil replacement to grow plants. Interstellar Lab has developed atmospheric control technology capable of maintaining precise climate conditions, irrespective of the conditions outside the BioPod. The company claims to have standardized growing conditions for over 300 plants that are not just food crops but also plants that can deliver pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds.
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered controlled center can manage the BioPod independently, even selecting crops and scheduling them. An integrated water treatment system saves up to 98 percent water while the aeroponics boosts yield by 300 times while using 1/20th energy. BioPods are designed to work as stand-alone units and can also be connected to support a large crew. By recycling food, air, and water, BioPods are quite the epitome of sustainable living.
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