From Sewage to Supper: How We’ll Grow Food on the Moon and Mars
Future colonists on the Moon and Mars face a daunting challenge: cultivating food in environments fundamentally hostile to life. The soil, or regolith, on both worlds lacks the nutrients necessary to support plant growth, and both are exposed to harmful radiation. But scientists are making strides in developing solutions, and the answer might be surprisingly…familiar.
The Martian Potato: A Pioneering Concept
The idea of growing food using unconventional resources gained popular attention thanks to the film “The Martian,” where astronaut Mark Watney famously cultivated potatoes using his own waste. This isn’t just science fiction. Experiments conducted by the International Potato Center and NASA have demonstrated the feasibility of growing potatoes in similar conditions.
Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLiSS) – A Closed-Loop Solution
Researchers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center are focusing on bioregenerative life support systems (BLiSS). These systems essentially recycle waste – including human sewage – into a nutrient-rich solution that can nourish plants. This approach is crucial for long-term sustainability, as relying on resupply missions from Earth is expensive and impractical.
“In lunar and Martian outposts, organic wastes will be key to generating healthy, productive soils,” explains Harrison Coker of Texas A&M, who led recent research in this area.
What Plants Need to Thrive Off-World
Earth plants require a complex mix of nutrients – nitrogen for corn, potassium and phosphorus for peas, and both phosphorus and nitrogen for potatoes – along with water. Martian and lunar regoliths, however, are deficient in these essential elements. Martian soil is laden with toxic perchlorates and is rich in sulfur, ferric oxide, silicon dioxide, and magnesium. The regolith is also irradiated, posing another challenge.
Initial efforts will likely involve enriching the existing regolith with recycled waste products. While hydroponics – growing plants without soil – is another option, it requires significant water and nutrient input, making it less sustainable in the long run.
A simulated lunar greenhouse at NASA Kennedy Space Center is helping scientists solve the problem of growing food on the Moon, and ultimately Mars. Courtesy NASA.
Weathering the Soil: The Coker Experiment
Coker and his team at NASA combined BLiSS effluent with simulated Martian and lunar regolith, then shook the mixtures for 24 hours. The goal was to determine if the effluent could “weather” the regolith, releasing essential nutrients. The results were promising, suggesting that this process could create a viable growing medium.
Studies of food growth in space go back many years. A variety of red potatoes called Norland were grown in the Biomass Production Chamber inside Hangar L at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida during a research study in 1992. Credit: NASA
The Road Ahead: From Simulants to Real Regolith
While these experiments using simulated regolith are a crucial first step, the next phase involves testing with actual lunar and Martian soil samples. These real samples differ significantly from their simulated counterparts, and further research is needed to refine the process.
The ultimate vision is a future where lunar and Martian colonists can enjoy fresh, locally-grown produce – perhaps even watercress sandwiches and potatoes – thanks to innovative bioregenerative systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can human waste really grow food?
A: Yes, processed human waste, through systems like BLiSS, can be converted into nutrient-rich solutions that support plant growth.
Q: Is hydroponics a viable alternative?
A: Hydroponics is an option, but it requires substantial water and nutrient resources, making it less sustainable for long-term off-world colonies.
Q: How toxic are perchlorates in Martian soil?
A: Perchlorates are toxic to humans and plants, and must be addressed before Martian soil can be used for agriculture.
Q: When will we see the first crops grown on the Moon or Mars?
A: With the upcoming Artemis missions, the question of food production is becoming a high priority, suggesting progress towards off-world agriculture in the near future.
Learn more: How Recycled Sewage Could Make the Moon or Mars Suitable for Growing Crops
What are your thoughts on the future of space farming? Share your ideas in the comments below!
