F A R M I N G F O R T H E F U T U R ELunar Agriculture

Executive SummarySouthern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2020

International Space University 12 February 2020

Participants of the SHSSP20 represent an interdisciplinary mix of professionals from the sciences, engineering, business and humanities. TP LUNAR FARMING

SHSSP2020 - ISU

2020

SHSSP 2020

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The Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) is jointly organized between the University of South Australia and the International Space University (ISU). The SHSSP is a five-week intensive program focusing on an international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary educational philosophy. This Executive Summary is produced by 27 professionals from the ISU SHSSP class of 2020, representing eight different countries, which met from 12 January to 15 February 2020 in Adelaide, Australia.

References

AcknowledgementsThe authors gratefully acknowledge the generous guidance, support, and direction provided by:

Gary Martin, Vice President ISU (Project Chair) Femi Ishola (Project Assistant)Anisha Rajmane (Project Assistant)

P R O J E C T C O O R D I N AT O R S

T E A M P R O J E C T S P O N S O RISU and Team Project Lunar Farming wish to express their sincere appreciation to

TEN TO THE NINTH PLUS FOUNDATION

P R O G R A M S P O N S O R SAFT Press Lockheed Martin National Aeronautics and Space Administration Portugal Space Agency Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund Taylors Wines Tenth to the Ninth Plus Foundation The Aerospace Corporation The Simeone Group

Front cover - Moon - NASABack cover - Temple atop Shackleton crater. Jorge Rubio, ESA. Earth from Galileo spacecraft - NASA

I M A G E C R E D I T S

Associated Press, 2006, Hawking Says Human Must Go into Space. [online]. Available at: <http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13293390/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/hawking-says-humans-must-go-space/#.Xj42yM4zZPZ> [Accessed 08 Feb 2020].

Jones, A., 2019. China grew two leaves on the moon: The Chang’e-4 spacecraft also carried potato seeds and fruit-fly eggs to the lunar far side - [News]. IEEE Spectrum, 56, 9-10.

Lowe, A., Harrison N. and French A.P., 2017. Hyperspectral image analysis techniques for the detection and classification of the early onset of plant disease and stress. Plant Methods 13, 80 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-017-0233-z

Malla, R.B. and Brown, K.M., 2015. Determination of temperature variation on lunar surface and subsurface for habitat analysis and design, Acta Astrautica, Vol. 107, pp. 196-207.https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.actaastro.2014.10.038.]

Sima, H., 2006. Yuèqiú néngyuán lí women you duō yuan? [How far is the Moon’s energy from us?]. Aerospace China, (10):25-32

Speyerer, E.J., Povilaitis, R.Z., Robinson, M.S., Thomas, P.C. and Wagner, R.V., 2016. Quantifying crater production and regolith overturn on the Moon with temporal imaging. Nature 538, pp.215–218. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature19829

Sun, F., Peng, H., Ling, X., 2015. Progress in medium to high temperature thermochemical energy storage technologies. Energy Storage Science and Technology,4(6):577-584.

The University of Arizona. Significant Research Outcomes: Growing food on Mars, Not a novel idea for Biosphere 2. [online]. Available at: <https://biosphere2.org/research-outcomes> [Accessed on 11 February 2020].

Wasser, A., et al., 2008. Space Settlements, Property Rights, and International Law: Could a Lunar Settlement Claim the Lunar Real Estate It Needs to Survive, 73 Journal of Air Law and Commerce 37

Team Project Lunar Farming

Mission Statement

Lunar Farming

Sustainable food production in environments other than the Earth is essential if humankind is to go beyond our current planetary home. The Moon is the closest celestial body that the human race is likely to settle on in its goal to reach Mars and beyond. The Lunar Farming team aims to investigate the foreseeable challenges associated with creating a sustainable food source on the Moon.

For the purposes of this study, we are defining a sustainable operation as one that is self-sufficient. We anticipate that initially, resources to establish a lunar farming operation will need to be transported from Earth, but after that, our goal is to produce a closed loop

farming system that sustains itself for a fixed period of time, using the resources available on the lunar surface.

This report makes recommendations for the early stages of lunar settlement - agricultural practices that could be implemented to sustainably support the physical and psychological wellbeing of ten people, with the opportunity to expand to greater populations in the future. We assume the farm recommended in this report exists as part of a wider settlement, rather than in isolation, and exists in a symbiotic relationship with the humans living within the settlement.

INTRODUCTION

To achieve this mission, the team pursued the following objectives:

To recommend and outline a vision for sustainable lunar agriculture that can support the nutritional requirements of humans and allow them to thrive.

OBJECTIVES

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Investigate the science and technology needed to ensure the successful growth of food sources on the lunar surface.

FOOD SOURCES

Investigate the highest priority food sources that would be needed for a sustainable lunar farming settlement.

ENGINEERINGDiscuss engineering demonstrations that would likely lend credibility to the prospect of such a settlement.

ECONOMICSUnderstand the economic and legal challenges that will need to be overcome.

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

Discuss available routes toward gaining international support for a lunar farming program.

Lunar Environment

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The four recommended agricultural methods (soil-based, hydroponic, cellular agriculture and insect farming) are the most economically viable and scientifically plausible, when considering the lunar environment and the stresses to which it may subject the food sources. For these methods to succeed, the lunar south pole has been selected for the farm’s location, as it has high levels of insolation and significant access to water ice.

Adapted from image of the Moon. Image credit: NASA

TEMPERATURE

Thermal model simulations reveal that temperatures in the subsurface area are nearly constant, at approximately 250K (-23°C) and do not change much during the day and night cycles (Malla et al., 2015).

Thermal control will be required to keep the temperature of the farm within a range conducive to agriculture. Human settlers will conduct the farming activities, but additional technologies may help them maintain the farm and optimize the health and productivity of the crops. An intelligent monitoring system could utilize hyperspectral technology to identify plant stress (Lowe

The lunar surface is known for its harsh environment - the first plant on the Moon did not survive the lunar night (Jones, 2019), and the lack of atmosphere ensures high levels of radiation and meteorite collisions. Understanding lunar

3D reconstruction of the first plant to be grown on the moon. Image credit: Chongqing University

temperatures and thermal properties is essential for planning a lunar farm. Indoor terrestrial farming technology will need to be adapted to suit lunar farming constraints.

RECOMMENDATION 1Prioritize agricultural methods including soil-based farming, hydroponics, insect growth, and cell cultures for growth of food sources on the lunar surface. Ensure that appropriate technologies provide light, water supply, and temperature stability for the successful growth of living organisms.

et al., 2017).

Science and Technology

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Unlike the Earth, the Moon does not have a protective atmosphere to disintegrate micrometeorites prior to surface impact, so the lunar surface is regularly impacted by collisions (Speyerer, et al., 2016). Appropriate protection from these collisions will need to be provided for farms, habitats and astronauts.

To minimize the effects of micrometeorite impacts on the farm, subsurface or semi-subsurface structures could be employed.

MICROMETEORITE RISK

ENERGY

The lack of a lunar atmosphere also has its advantages. There is almost no atmosphere on the Moon to attenuate the solar radiation before it reaches the surface. Based on a solar energy density of 1.353 kW / m² (Sima, 2006) and a currently achievable photoelectric conversion rate of 20%, this energy could be harnessed using a 100 m² array of solar panels to generate 27 kW of continuous power - enough to supply all the energy needs of the lunar farm.

Chemical storage is considered the most promising solar energy storage method due to its high-energy storage density, small energy loss, and flexible application (Sun, 2015).

ENGINEERING DEMONSTRATIONS

Experiments such as Biosphere 2 have been conducted on Earth that look into the viability of a self-sufficient sealed habitat, in which humans can survive for extended periods, recycling all food, waste and water (The University of Arizona, n.d.).

The Biosphere 2 experiment demonstrated that it was possible to build an engineering apparatus for a closed-loop habitat, but that the soil and chemical composition of the atmosphere would need to be closely monitored in order to make the system viable in habitats outside our planet.

A repeat of the Biosphere 2 experiment, varying the carbon levels and richness of the soil to mitigate the biological issues encountered in the previous experiment and optimize crop production, is suggested. This would provide a proof of concept to demonstrate the viability of a farming settlement on the moon.

RECOMMENDATION 2

Ensure that in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) of lunar materials is used such as lunar basalt rock and the lunar regolith sourced from rock debris to lower the costs and the number of resupply missions and materials needed from Earth. Establish structures on the lunar surface that are built underground, semi-underground, or above ground with a regolith barrier above in order to protect from the damage caused by micrometeorites, radiation, and temperature variations.

RECOMMENDATION 3

Solar panels. Image credit: NASA, JPL

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Economic & Legal FrameworkThe Outer Space Treaty is the primary basis for international space law. The Outer Space Treaty explicitly prohibits national sovereignty over the Moon and other celestial bodies, but not private property rights (Wasser, 2008). In addition, the Moon Agreement provides the necessary legal principles for governing the behavior of states, international organizations, and individuals who explore celestial bodies other than Earth, as well as administration of the resources that exploration may yield. However, most States have not ratified the Moon Agreement, especially States that conduct launch services.

For economic viability, we must consider the challenge that any initial investment for Moon activities must provide some form of return to the original investors on Earth. Returns could be in the form of cost savings over the alternatives, or producing a profit. Returns from scientific knowledge and Intellectual Property (IP) can be translated into or valued as financial returns. Depending on the operational model, IP, surplus in-situ resources, and surplus food products could be sold to the lunar colony, Earth, and, in future, other space populations such as the International Space Station, Lunar Gateway, and other Earth or lunar orbiting stations

To account for human nutritional requirements and the ability to develop diverse meals, the food sources listed below have been selected for the lunar farm. Cultural needs should be

considered further to ensure that meals can be readily available to sustain people of diverse backgrounds, faiths and dietary requirements.

Food & Sustenance Choices

RECOMMENDATION 4Establish a lunar farm that produces plants, insects, and cell cultures for human physiological and psychological benefit and nutritional diversity. These sources should include tomatoes, carrots, garden cress, sweet potatoes, soybeans, peanuts, rice, oyster mushrooms, cloudberriy cell cultures and crickets.

Technique

Soil-based

Hydroponic

Cellular agriculture

Insects

Common name

Tomato

Carrot

Garden cress

Sweet potato

Soybean (cooked)

Peanuts

Rice (cooked)

Oyster mushrooms

Cloudberry cell cultures

Cricket

Scientific name

Solanum lycopersicum

Daucus carota s. sativus

Lepidium sativum

Ipomoea batatas

Glycine max

Arachis hypogaea

Oryza sativa

Pleurotus ostreatus

Rubus chamaemorus

Acheta domesticus

Serving type

1 tomato

1 carrot

1 cup

1 potato

1 cup

1 serving

1 cup

1 mushroom

1 cup

1 cricket

Serving size

182 g

72 g

50 g

130 g

65 g

28 g

202 g

148 g

100 g

15 g

Number of servings

4

4

4

1

4

3

1

1

1

9

Total

128.6

163.3

127.6

112.0

444.0

486.0

248.0

48.8

173.4

513.9

Total energy / kcal

2056.0

RECOMMENDATION 5 Establish a regulatory and economic approach that would enable the free flow of scientific, technology transfer, and educational exchanges that would give credence to the establishment of a lunar farming settlement and provide a return on investment, while remaining in compliance with the Outer Space Treaty and the Moon Agreement.

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ConclusionThe need for the establishment of a lunar farm in order to provide sustainable food production in environments other than the Earth is essential if humankind is to go beyond our current planetary home. As the late Dr. Stephen Hawking pointed out, there is an ever-increasing risk that “life on Earth could be wiped out by disasters such as global warming, nuclear war, or a genetically engineered virus” (Associated Press, 2006). Thus, building a self-sustaining lunar farming settlement is paramount if we are to maintain a permanent presence on the Moon and other celestial bodies.

This report recommends the use of subsurface structures for a lunar farm, to alleviate impacts from radiation, micrometeorites, and temperature variation and at a polar location, to increase insolation and access to water ice.

An international authority, similar to the Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research) (CERN) is recommended for managing the lunar settlement and farm program to ensure equality for all member States, as well as encouraging private enterprise to invest in lunar agricultural activities. The United Nations (UN) Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities provide a useful lens through which to view proposed lunar farming approaches. They also encourage any space activities to link to the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework.

Food sources including plants, cell cultures, and insects have been selected for their nutritional value and ability to create diverse meals to suit physiological and psychological requirements. The lunar farm must be in line with international treaties, including the Outer Space Treaty, and so an international authority model is likely to be the most appropriate management structure for the farm.

This lunar farm is likely to be a viable proposition, however some scientific and engineering research will need to be progressed before it becomes a reality. A successful lunar agriculture venture is a precursor for humans to take the next step towards leaving our planet and becoming an interplanetary species.

Policy & International Cooperation

Figure 1. UN Sustainable Development Goals. Image credit: United Nations

RECOMMENDATION 6Establish an international authority management structure similar to the ‘CERN model’ to manage the international obligations, and coordinate and regulate a lunar mission. Incorporate the applicable UN Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities into the planning, design, development and implementation of the lunar farming initiative.

F A R M I N G F O R T H E F U T U R ELunar Agriculture

Ana-Maria NeculăescuAjith Kumar BaskarBalamurugan Chellam Hareesh Ravindran

Shaun Frost Mike Hawkey Richard Johanson Siân Keys Adrian Kougianos Artur MedonKate Sweatman Nate Taylor Vienna TranMelanie Ward

Suhail Haji Garrett Turner

Natasha Alexandrou

Oscar RosasJing Hu Lin JiangXin LiuYuxiang LuoYu MouHaiyu Sun Weijian Sun Xiang Xu Mohamed Alremeithi

ISU PARTICIPANTS

© International Space University and University of South Australia. All Rights Reserved.

Permission is granted to quote excerpts from this report, provided appropriate acknowledgement is given to ISU and UniSA

Electronic copies of the Executive Summary and Team Project Report may be found on the ISU website (http://isulibrary.isunet.edu/) or UniSA website (unisa.edu.au/spaceprogram). Paper copies of the Executive Summary and the Team

Project Report may also be requested while supplies last from the ISU website at http://isulibrary.isunet.edu

International Space University, Strasbourg Central Campus, Parc d’Innovation, 1 rue Jean-Dominique Cassini, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden France, Tel +33 (0)3 88 65 54 30, Fax +33 (0)3 88 65 54 47 email: publications@isunet.edu, www.isunet.edu

S P O N S O R E D B YISU and Team Project Lunar Farming wish to express their sincere appreciation toTEN TO THE NINTH PLUS FOUNDATION

This report was written on Kaurna land, in Adelaide, South Australia. The authors would like to pay their respect to the Traditional Owners of the land on which this report was written, and pay their respects to Elders past, present and emerging.