Toward Semi-Closed, Compact Space Food Production: First Integration Results from DLR EDEN LUNA

Kurzfassung

EDEN LUNA combines technology development for bio-regenerative autonomous life support systems, digital applications, AI-assisted robotics, advanced data modelling, autonomous and connected teleoperations and spin-off with holistic product cycle solutions. The former prototype EDEN ISS has been operated successfully at the Neumayer Station III in Antarctica. Now, the EDEN Mobile Test Facility is being refurbished in Bremen, Germany, and its capabilities extended to then be part of the LUNA Analog facility at DLR/ESA in Cologne. LUNA is a shared project between ESA and DLR and funded by the German County of North Rhine Westphalia and DLR. The EDEN-LUNA system is dedicated to the development and testing of critical subsystems and the optimization of fresh food supply with possible applicability to planetary research stations and habitats. The core of the technology development lies in Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) technologies as the basis for food crop cultivation and their transformation and integration into bio-regenerative life support systems and space-qualified hardware solutions. In contrast to the current ISS food system with its core assumption on frequent resupply and consistent crew demographics, EDEN LUNA aims at providing an independent and self-sustainable, revivable food production and processing system. It is designed to stay separate and yet allow for full integration into the envisioned Moon or Mars habitat village concepts. During the test campaigns at the LUNA Analog, first elements of these mission parameters shall be tested. To reduce Crew time involvement EDEN LUNA increased its level of automation fundamentally by changing the entire SW architecture benefiting from past DLR space missions. Essential sensors have been added to improve the monitoring of subsystem health and predict upcoming system failures. DLR-developed AI systems for fault detection, predictive maintenance and operation recommendations will be evaluated and improved to support higher autonomy levels within the system. Additionally, a robotic arm is being developed and will be trained during the first campaigns to support the crew efficiently. The plant health monitoring system is being improved with additional cameras and sensors. During this presentation the current stage of the refurbishment is being presented as well as a brief insight into LUNA.