It is a real possibility that in the future in space manned missions will be carried out to Mars, the Moon or even other planets. However, one of the main problems of these missions is the supply of food in space. It is not profitable to take a transport from Earth to space with large quantities of food on board.
Furthermore, we do not know if the environment of other planets makes agriculture incompatible. However, the American company Interestellar Lab could have found the solution with one of its star inventions, BioPods, the most technologically advanced greenhouses.
This company was founded in 2018 by venture capital expert Barbara Belvisi. What characterizes this company is that for planting crops it uses aeroponics technology, which is an advance over hydroponics and consists of growing plants in an aerial or foggy environment without touching the ground.
Its operation, possible thanks to AI
Interestellar Lab has developed atmospheric control technology that can maintain accurate weather conditions, no matter what the weather is outside. In fact, they claim to have standardized growing conditions for more than 300 food crops and also for plants that can provide cosmetic and pharmaceutical compounds.
An AI-powered control center can independently control BioPods, even selecting specific crops and scheduling them. These capsules have an integrated water system that makes it possible to save up to 98% of water , while with aeroponics the performance is increased a great amount using less energy. BioPods can function as standalone units and can be connected to support a crew. This system is essential for sustainable life as it recycles food, air and water.
3D printed capsules
The capsules use an inflatable membrane technology that helps them unfold over the surface more quickly. The company recently collaborated with Soliquid, a 3D printing company, to use additive manufacturing techniques to build the capsules. They have managed to patent a system that prints concrete and resin among other materials. Following this partnership, Interstellar Lab will 3D print all the material components of the capsules in addition to the inflatable membrane. Once again, 3D printers penetrate even further into society, facilitating tasks for human beings.
To further this partnership Jim Rhone, the co-founder of Soliquid, has joined the Interstellar team as a designer. In addition to all the needs that BioPods cover in missions in space, they could also be used as spaces in which to conserve plant species that are in danger of extinction on our planet.
