EDEN LUNA - Science and Technology Demonstration Platform

Kurzfassung

The DLR-ESA analogue facility LUNA will provide an environment to simulate future lunar habitats and surface exploration missions. A number of external modules will be attached to the main LUNA hall, including the semi-closed plant production module EDEN LUNA. Building on the heritage from the successful EDEN ISS project, EDEN LUNA aims to provide a state-of-the-art platform for scientific investigations and technology demonstrations related to Controlled Environment Agriculture and Bio-regenerative Life Support Systems. Among the improvements made to the old EDEN ISS facility are the EVE robotic payload, as well as the C.R.O.P.® biofilter for urine processing, and various improvements to the Controlled Environment Agriculture systems. EDEN LUNA is currently in the AIV phase, having successfully passed a CDR in October 2024, and is scheduled to begin operations at the LUNA facility in Cologne, Germany in the first half of 2026. An extensive operations campaign is being planned for the first years of operation of the EDEN LUNA facility. This presentation will give an overview of the EDEN LUNA plant production module, the initial operations phases and potential areas for collaboration with interested parties.