deployable-biodome-living-quaters-and-hydroponics-lab

We aim to design a green house to be pre-deployed in space or on earth before the arrival of humans. The idea is to lay the groundwork for a habitable 'ecospace' that can sustain life in harsh environments. The basic criteria for the habitat is to supply oxygen, food and water. We aim to do this creating a sealed off 'ecosystem' in which all these elements are recycled.

This habitat could be deployed in stages, growing larger with each edition and getting further more complex. We will begin to see a linking system of pods emerge. Each pod will bring more living space to the system, creating space for more astronauts and more food.

Starting out with a simple hydroponics module, which once deployed, folds out to reveal the plants, for harvesting - and folding back in again for efficient storage. The module will include living quarters for four astronauts and offer a recycled supply of oxygen, food and water, essentially acting as a regenerative life support system.

Extra modules allow different crops to be grown and compartmentalised, preventing crop loss if something were to go wrong in one pod.

Extending out from the main module is our 'greenhouse'. This consists of a cable-like exo-skeleton with a soft inner 'skin' that is pressurised and expands out, held in place by the exo-skeleton.

We have developed a chemical extraction system; mined soil is conveyed into our extraction system and a controlled flow of water runs through pulling chemicals and nutrients out and into our water circulation providing nutrients for the hydroponics system.

Martian soil will also be conveyed into our greenhouse where an Earth-like atmosphere is simulated. A more natural form of a garden is developed here, creating a sealed 'ecosystem'. Oxygen and water is constantly recycled through the plants as a natural life cycle is undertaken and repeated. This water and oxygen is then cycled through the entire module.

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