The EDEN Initiative Portfolio and Strategy

Abstract

In 2011, the DLR Institute of Space Systems launched its research initiative called EDEN - Evolution & Design of Environmentally-closed Nutrition-Sources. The research initiative focuses on Bio-regenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS), especially greenhouse modules, and how these technologies can be integrated in future human-made space habitats. EDEN was established within the DLR internal project CROP (Combined Regenerative Organic- Food Production) – a joint research endeavor between the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (ME) and the Institute of Space Systems (RY). It is the goal of the EDEN team to further advance the latest cultivation technologies and to adjust these developments into space related applications. Even though, present scenarios for future human missions to Moon and Mars are still several years from coming to fruition, the time to develop these technologies needs to start today. Only this way, highly-reliable and resource-efficient BLSS will be ready for implementation into the mission architecture for humanity’s journey to the Moon and Mars and - even more importantly – enable a sustainable and continuous presence there. Organized by the Department of System Analysis Space Segment (SARA), the EDEN Initiative facilitates its own Space Habitation Plant Laboratory (EDEN Lab.), the institute’s Concurrent Engineering Facility (CEF). Furthermore, the group receives support from the institute’s Electronic Laboratory (E-Lab), and utilizes the institute’s laboratory building (incl. integration hall) in order to foster the development of cutting-edge plant cultivation technologies.