Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Stefani Capasso Villanueva, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Stefani Capasso Villanueva
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Hugo Castillo
Abstract
From Dust to Growth: Microbial Pathways to Extraterrestrial Farming addresses the fundamental challenge of sustaining long-term human habitation on other planets. In the era of the Artemis missions, establishing a cost-effective, bioregenerative food source is critical to reducing logistical dependency on Earth, and mitigating the physiological stressors faced by spacecrew through improved nutrition. This study initially investigated the viability of cultivating Mizuna, a proven ISS model organism, in a substrate of Martian regolith simulant amended with organic compost. Following iterative trials, it was found that the plant survival rate was extremely low, even after varying percentages of compost and simulant. It is hypothesized that the high salinity and heavy metal concentrations of the regolith rendered the medium infertile for direct cultivation. Thus, the project pivoted to evaluate hydroponic systems as a more controlled alternative. The expected outcomes suggest that hydroponic approach will facilitate successful Mizuna growth, with future applications extending to other edible crops like green chile peppers. The significance of this project lies in its contribution to closed-loop life support systems, offering a scalable framework for extraterrestrial food security and independence from Earth supplies.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Space Habitation and Life Support Commons
From Dust to Growth: Microbial Pathways to Extraterrestrial Farming
From Dust to Growth: Microbial Pathways to Extraterrestrial Farming addresses the fundamental challenge of sustaining long-term human habitation on other planets. In the era of the Artemis missions, establishing a cost-effective, bioregenerative food source is critical to reducing logistical dependency on Earth, and mitigating the physiological stressors faced by spacecrew through improved nutrition. This study initially investigated the viability of cultivating Mizuna, a proven ISS model organism, in a substrate of Martian regolith simulant amended with organic compost. Following iterative trials, it was found that the plant survival rate was extremely low, even after varying percentages of compost and simulant. It is hypothesized that the high salinity and heavy metal concentrations of the regolith rendered the medium infertile for direct cultivation. Thus, the project pivoted to evaluate hydroponic systems as a more controlled alternative. The expected outcomes suggest that hydroponic approach will facilitate successful Mizuna growth, with future applications extending to other edible crops like green chile peppers. The significance of this project lies in its contribution to closed-loop life support systems, offering a scalable framework for extraterrestrial food security and independence from Earth supplies.