Caribbean Space Agriculture Mission
Design sustainable food systems for space missions using Caribbean crops
Space Systems
Matter & Energy in Ecosystems
Engineering Design
Advanced Level
Mission Overview
Students become space agriculture engineers, designing sustainable food production systems for long-duration space missions using traditional Caribbean crops. This project integrates space science, plant biology, and engineering to solve real challenges faced by space agencies while celebrating Caribbean agricultural heritage.
3-4 weeks
4-5 students
Advanced
Mission Objectives
- Understand plant growth requirements and photosynthesis in controlled environments
- Analyze solar energy patterns and efficiency for space applications
- Design closed-loop agricultural systems with minimal waste
- Study space environment challenges including microgravity and radiation
- Present mission proposals to space agency representatives
Week-by-Week Mission Plan
Week 1: Space Agriculture Research
- • Research current space agriculture projects (ISS, Mars missions)
- • Study Caribbean crops suitable for space cultivation
- • Investigate space environment challenges for plant growth
- • Analyze nutritional requirements for space travelers
- • Interview space agriculture researchers (virtual)
Week 2: Plant Growth Experiments
- • Test Caribbean crop seeds under different light conditions
- • Compare LED vs. natural sunlight for plant growth
- • Measure photosynthesis rates and oxygen production
- • Monitor water and nutrient uptake
- • Document growth data in mission logs
Week 3: Solar-Powered Growing Systems
- • Design hydroponic systems powered by solar panels
- • Build automated watering and lighting systems
- • Create closed-loop nutrient recycling systems
- • Test energy efficiency and crop yields
- • Optimize systems based on performance data
Week 4: Mission Proposal and Presentation
- • Compile growth data and system performance results
- • Create comprehensive mission proposals
- • Design mission timelines and resource requirements
- • Prepare presentations for space agency panel
- • Present findings and receive expert feedback
Assessment Mission Control
Mission Proposal (35%)
Comprehensive proposal including system design, crop selection, and mission timeline
System Design and Testing (30%)
Functional growing system with solar power and data on crop performance
Growth Data Analysis (20%)
Scientific analysis of plant growth under different conditions with graphs and conclusions
Space Agency Presentation (15%)
Clear communication of mission proposal to expert panel
Mission Equipment
Caribbean Crop Seeds
- • Black beans and pigeon peas
- • Hot peppers and sweet peppers
- • Herbs (basil, cilantro, thyme)
- • Leafy greens (callaloo, lettuce)
- • Cherry tomatoes
Growing Systems
- • LED grow lights (full spectrum)
- • Small solar panels
- • Hydroponic containers and tubes
- • Water pumps and timers
- • pH and nutrient testing kits
Measurement Tools
- • Digital scales for harvest weights
- • Rulers and measuring tapes
- • Light meters
- • Thermometers
- • Mission log notebooks
Mission Extensions
- Connect with NASA or ESA space agriculture programs
- Design complete life support systems for space stations
- Create space nutrition meal plans using grown crops
- Partner with university aerospace programs
Caribbean Heritage
- • Celebrate traditional Caribbean crops in space
- • Research indigenous agricultural practices
- • Study nutritional benefits of Caribbean foods
- • Connect with local farmers and agricultural experts
- • Explore cultural significance of selected crops