Some challenges in designing a lunar, Martian, or microgravity CELSS.
The design of a bioregenerative life-support system (a Controlled Ecological Life-Support System or CELSS) for long-duration stays on the moon, Mars, or in a space craft poses formidable problems in engineering and in theory.  Technological (hardware) problems include:  (1) Creation and control of gas composition and pressure, temperature, light, humidity, and air circulation, especially in microgravity to 1/3 xg and in the vacuum of space.  Light (energy demanding), CO2 levels, and the rooting media are special problems for plants.  (2)  Developing specialized  equipment for food preparation.  (3)  Equipment development for waste recycling.  (4)  Development of computer systems for environmental monitoring and control as well as several other functions.  Problems of theory (software) include:  (1)  Determining crop species and cultivars (some bred especially for CELSS).  (2)  Optimum environments and growing and harvesting techniques for each crop.  (3) Best and most efficient food-preparation techniques and required equipment.  (4)  Best and most efficient waste-recycling techniques and equipment.  This topic includes questions about the extent of closure, resupply, and waste storage.  (5)  How to achieve long-term stability.  (6)  How to avoid catastrophic failures--and how to recover from near-catastrophic failures (for example, plant diseases).  Many problems must be solved.
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Plants, Soils, and Biometeorology Department, Utah State University, Logan, 84322-4820.
D018533:Biomass; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D004867:Equipment Design; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D018535:Mars; D016081:Moon; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000254:growth & development*; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018505:Waste Management; D014893:Weightlessness