The researchers will test plants' resistance to changes in air pressure, and will look for the most efficient plants and bacteria in food and oxygen production and waste treatment and recycling
Life on Mars creates light and sinews. The University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, recently opened a controlled, computerized habitat simulation facility to study the conditions needed to sustain astronauts on a long journey, such as the one planned within 2-3 decades to Mars.
The facility, which costs about 8 million dollars, will contain 14 rooms where there will be reduced air pressure. The rooms, the first of which will open this week - will allow researchers to examine all the possibilities of growing plants that will help humans survive in space during a long journey.
The project manager, Mike Dixon, an agricultural expert in the field of plants, has been researching the issue of maintaining living conditions in space for 15 years. "We will reach Mars within the next 20 years. This facility will allow us to be the pioneers in the most developing technology in the field of space."
Today, the shuttles carry all the water, air and food necessary for the maintenance of the crew to the space station. It is almost certain that on a long trip, biological mechanisms will be needed. Long-range spacecraft will not be able to carry enough air, food and water. It will be necessary to develop renewable systems based on plants and microorganisms. Plants are the most efficient means, providing both food and oxygen to the atmosphere when they break down carbon dioxide through the mechanism of photosynthesis. They can also treat air pollution and help recycle water.
"We believe that in order to choose our future, we must lead" said the president of the university, Mordechai Rozanski.
The new facilities and low-pressure chambers will allow researchers to monitor the effects of growing plants at a wide range of air pressures that may occur during spaceflight. Experiments will also be conducted to improve the air, water and waste treatment systems, as well as the selection and growth of plants in a controlled environment and the development and testing of new sensors.
The opening conference of the facility was attended by representatives of most of the space agencies, including NASA, the Japanese Space Agency and the European Space Agency.
