Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Summer 2025

Abstract

Sustaining large numbers of astronauts on Mars will require greenhouses capable of supplementing astronaut dietary needs. Lower solar irradiation and high levels of ionizing radiation on the Martian surface complicate the growth of crops on the red planet. Crops on Mars must be protected from radiation sources while still receiving sufficient illumination to grow. This research seeks to develop a Martian greenhouse illumination and heating design capable of efficiently providing plants the illumination and warmth needed while protecting them from the Martian radiation environment. This research explores a design for a direct-light subsurface Martian greenhouse which employs sun-tracking mirrors, vertical farming concepts, and heat storage technologies to grow crops under the harsh environmental constraints of Mars. The goal of the Earth prototype system is to grow strawberries in the chamber (on Taylor's Campus) in the depth of January with no externally provided electricity.

Notes

Other Contributors: Alicia Kanai, Andrew Dalland, Austin Davis, Aven Jones, Bradley Lasley, Claire Dahlin, David Mitchell, Hannah Brackenbury, Jared Sennese, Joe Lokos, Lance VanErmen, Luke Staritz, Mark MaGee, Micah Groeling, Reed Wheeler, Alex Roth, Andre Maue, Robert Cartwright, Dr. Peter Staritz

Course: ENP 393, Summer Practicum (Dr. Peter Staritz)

Download

Share

COinS