These indoor farms would reduce the need for costly resupply missions while removing carbon dioxide from the air, thus replenishing the astronauts' breathing supply, and could produce about 500 pounds of oxygen a year. Gene Giacomelli, a University of Arizona agricultural researcher and the lead investigator of a NASA-funded growth chamber for the moon, envisions a multiarmed, inflatable greenhouse building staffed with robots that do the bulk of the work. "Astronauts should not have to be farmers," he says.

Space Farms Will be Customized for Diverse Environments:

Moon

A farm at the moon's poles could tap water ice trapped in craters. Burying the farm buildings will protect them from cosmic rays, micrometeorites and extreme temperatures.

Status: Researchers at the University of Arizona are operating a moon-farm prototype that yields 1100 pounds of edible plants. per year.

Earth Orbit

Plants in micro­gravity draw up water and fertilizer faster than roots can process them. Slowly trickling in fertilizer solves the problem and improves plant health.

Status: Russians on the International Space Station developed the technique by growing radishes, peas and barley.

Mars

The planet's protective atmosphere allows structures to be built aboveground.

Status: Italy's space agency is designing greenhouses that can endure Mars's low-pressure, high-carbon-dioxide environment.

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