Aquaponics: An Option for In-situ Production of Mission Consumables

摘要

In-situ production of food for manned deep space missions is a challenge which aquaponia can meet. Aquaponia is the science of growing plants in water, recirculated from an aquatic habitat. Aquaponic systems are efficient and generate almost no waste. Most aquaponic systems are closed-looped, meaning that the water is continuously recycled to and from the aquatic habitat and growing beds. Aquaponic systems yield two consumables, at higher quantity and better quality than the traditional systems, and are found in unique spaces worldwide. Since the 1980s, M. R. McMurty, D.C. Sanders, and others have been publishing results about aquaponic designs and management guidelines. This paper reviews the science of aquaponia and concludes with an outline of continued research objectives for the use of aquaponics in space for the production of mission consumables.