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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Lunar soil contains all mineral nutrients (but no carbon(C) or nitrogen(N)) for plant growth, and has been considered for plant growth in lunar greenhouses. Earlier botanical studies indicate that lunar material from Apollo 11 and 12 outposts could provide mineral nutrients for seed germination and plant growth, but the mineral bioavailability was low. Moreover, regolith fines aggregated under watering which negatively impacted aeration.
Alternatives to the lunar ISRU greenhouses are the Bioregenerative Life Support Systems that have been investigated by several international space agencies that investigates the possibility of cultivating photosynthetic species (microalgae, cyanobacteria, and plants) on board space flights for food production, air revitalization, waste management, and water recycling. Examples include a NASA endeavor, the Bioregenerative Life Support System Complex (BIO-Plex) and Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA), an ongoing ESA initiative. Similarly, Lunar Palace 1, a Chinese effort, also integrated plants into regenerative life support system, with a small amount of insect production. In these systems, the inedible plant biomass and the solid waste were collected and the nutrient was partially recovered.
While a closed bioregenerative life support system is effective for air and water recovery, it is more economical to have an open system for lunar base, that not only recycle all the waste but also utilizes local resources, such as lunar regolith, which contains all mineral nutrients (but no C or N) for plant growth. In addition, using lunar soil would also reduce water requirement when comparing with a hydroponic approach.
The project described herein sought to improve the fertility of lunar regolith for plant growth by: (1) adding composted solid waste and wastewater to the lunar soil to provide balanced nutrient; and (2) using a proper mixture of microbes to improve the level of bioavailable nutrients and the degree of hydration of the lunar regolith.
Both bio-weathering and composting are ubiquitous microorganism-driven processes, though bio-weathering/bioleaching may not be as well-known as composting. It is known that some species of bacteria of genus Bacillus can dissolve alumina-silicates and to liberate inorganic elements like iron, silicon, potassium, from regolith, making them available for the plant. One of the main objectives of this project is to downselect microorganisms that can be used for bioleaching of key inorganic nutrient such as phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from the lunar regolith.
Composting is an effective and established approach for waste management and nutrient recovery from waste, including fecal matter. Due to the very low C and N content in lunar soil, the composting process should aim to maximize organic nutrient output, and quick nutrient recovery, i.e., fast composting (aerobic process). There are other interesting questions associated with the lunar composting process, such as the effect of the reduced gravity, and possible reduced atmospheric pressure. However, detailed study on the composting is beyond the limited scope of this proposal. The effect of composted biomass and human wastes will be studied using a commercial organic composted manure (aerobically composted).
A microorganism combination suitable for bioleaching of lunar regolith was down selected to identify the process of generating fertile soil for plant growth using lunar regolith and waste compost. Bio-leaching experiments were conducted for P and K recovery from JSC-1A, a lunar regolith simulant. A preliminary plant growth experiment was carried out at various JSC-1A and waste compost ratios to identify the optimal condition for biomass yield. Finally, a physical property analysis was performed on microbe-inoculated mixtures of JSC-1A and waste compost to better understand any physical or morphological changes to the regolith particles with the introduction of plant-relevant microbes.
Plant research and production is a primary KSC research focus, while ISRU and logistics reduction are supporting KSC roles. This proposed effort aligns well with those KSC research areas, and will strength the leadership roles of KSC in NASA.
Lunar and Martian greenhouse techniques are critical for human exploration. We must solve the challenges of food production with minimal consumables, while advancing the sustainable technologies of meeting food production demands of our home planet.
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