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Bioregenerative food system cost based on optimized menus for advanced life supportOptimized menus for a bioregenerative life support system have been developed based on measures of crop productivity, food item acceptability, menu diversity, and nutritional requirements of crew. Crop-specific biomass requirements were calculated from menu recipe demands while accounting for food processing and preparation losses. Under the assumption of staggered planting, the optimized menu demanded a total crop production area of 453 m2 for six crew. Cost of the bioregenerative food system is estimated at 439 kg per menu cycle or 7.3 kg ESM crew-1 day-1, including agricultural waste processing costs. On average, about 60% (263.6 kg ESM) of the food system cost is tied up in equipment, 26% (114.2 kg ESM) in labor, and 14% (61.5 kg ESM) in power and cooling. This number is high compared to the STS and ISS (nonregenerative) systems but reductions in ESM may be achieved through intensive crop productivity improvements, reductions in equipment masses associated with crop production, and planning of production, processing, and preparation to minimize the requirement for crew labor.
Document ID
20040087937
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Waters, Geoffrey C R.
(University of Guelph, Division of Horticultural Science Department of Plant Agriculture, Ontario, Canada)
Olabi, Ammar
Hunter, Jean B.
Dixon, Mike A.
Lasseur, Christophe
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: Life support & biosphere science : international journal of earth space
Volume: 8
Issue: 3-4
ISSN: 1069-9422
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Life Support Systems

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