Utilizing the Pressure Gradients of The Greenhouse on Mars

Current models of greenhouse design primarily focus on enabling a means for water recycling, air revitalization, and food production. However, the enormous potential of using interior landscaping for positive psychological effects on the crew has been neglected. An indoor garden impacts living conditions within a confined environment of surface habitats in active and passive ways. Actively, from the human factors perspective, it diversifies the crew’s diet and adds the enjoyment of on-site gardening to routine activities. Passively, it brings colors, textures, and aromas into the otherwise mundane interior environment. This research by design process starts with plant selection based on their nutritional values using recipes from different cultures. Next, environmental requirements are considered for a hydroponic planting system for selected plants such as temperature, pH, and pollination methods. Afterward, the sizes of mature plants are reviewed to generate structural measurements of plant beds. Since architectural elements and design principles are linear, planar, and three-dimensional (3D), the integrated result is characterized into four categories: Plant Bracket, Plant Wall, Plant Trellis, and Plant Box. Finally, this project concludes by proposing the criteria for feasibility studies pertaining to the construction of a greenhouse on the Mars surface at different stages of infrastructure development. Design factors for the evaluation of greenhouse module proposals are presented and categorized by the level of their impact on overall mission planning and success.