Self-Sustaining Crop Production Unit

NASA's goals to explore deep space through manned missions requires development of self-sustaining life support systems. A diverse team from Freight Farms, Inc. have partnered with Clemson University to merge knowledge of sustainable farming with engineering expertise to create off-grid infrastructure for self-sustaining plant life that will assist NASA with their goals. Freight Farms' current product, the Leafy Green Machine (LGM) will serve as the baseline for this project. The LGM is a fully-operational hydroponic farm built inside an up-cycled freight container and capable of producing yields at commercial-scale in any climate and in any season. This STTR would provide the ability to further Freight Farms' research and development through design of more efficient systems with the aim of achieving independence from the energy grid. Development of advanced environmental controls and application of closed-loop theory to agricultural processes will result in a model for self-sustaining plant life. The innovations resulting from this project will serve purposes for both NASA applications as well as in the commercial market by providing a secure source of food to populations regardless of their climate areas, terrain, energy infrastructure, or available land.

The innovations developed for the Self-Sustaining Crop Production Unit (SSCPU) will support the following NASA goals: - Life support for human exploration of deep space - Enable advanced research of proteins and medicines - Simulation of advanced external and internal conditions for plant growth and human symbiosis - Development of lightweight and modular systems (inflatable and 3D printed) - Development of advanced environmental controls for space shuttles or other space exploration vessels - Agricultural studies in remote locations and extreme climate conditions including deep space

The SSCPU supports off-grid and on site food production, which has applications to numerous industries and commercial endeavors. On site production of food reduces cost and security risk of transport, food spoilage due to travel, and dependency on traditional logistics. Specific applications include: - Disaster relief - Military - Mining and offshore industries - Remote living and emerging markets In addition to developing the new markets outlined above, the SSCPU will continue the revolution of the agricultural industry that Freight Farms' current product, the LGM, has started. The SSCPU will increase the accessibility of sustainable farming practices by improving operational costs and business economics: - Greater efficiency - Lowered supply costs - Independency from the grid

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.