🌖 CENTRE OF MOONBASE

Model biocups, resources, and logistics for sustained product cultivation on the Moon.

Why plan farms on the Moon?

Monthly colonies require autonomous food supply. Aquaponics, aeroponics, and regolith substrates demand precise resource balancing. This page will help engineers, biologists, and logisticians evaluate key parameters.

Tools account for energy limitations, lighting cycles, crew needs, and dust risks.

1. Planning the bio dome

Calculate cultivation area and energy consumption depending on crop composition and equipment.

2. Assessing nutrient resources

Determine the need for water, nutrient solutions, and nitrogen for a closed-loop system.

3. Logistics of delivery

Plan Earth supply, considering launch cost and resilience reserves.

📚 Article: Architecture of monthly agrocomplexes

Biocapsules and radiation protection

Monthly radiation requires multi-layered envelopes: inflatable structure, regolith layer, internal screen. Bio-domes provide stable atmospheric pressure (55–70 kPa) and controlled humidity.

It is recommended to locate farms below the surface or cover them with regolith blocks. This reduces the need for massive energy shields.

Closed bioregenerative systems

Water circulates between plants, people, and regeneration systems. The presence of aquaponics allows for obtaining proteins and micronutrients. The key task is to maintain the balance of nitrogen and microbiota.

Combine speed plants (lettuce, spinach) with cultivated trees (dwarf tomatoes, potatoes) for stable nutrition.

Energy and lighting

The month has long day and night cycles (14/14). Energy accumulators, nuclear sources, or mirror farms redirecting light are needed. LED lighting with adjustable spectrum saves energy and does not overheat the dome.

Optimize lighting schedule: 16 hours of light / 8 hours of darkness or adaptive cycles for specific crops.

Dust and cleanliness.

Monthly dust is abrasive. Create airlocks, robotic cleaners, and electrostatic repulsion systems. Control dust in greenhouses, otherwise it will enter the ventilation systems.

Regularly maintain filters and use materials that do not accumulate charge.

Economics of Missions

On-site food production reduces cargo mass. Payback depends on mission duration and crew size. Important partnerships between states and private sector for shared infrastructure.

  • Develop digital twins of the farm for process optimization.
  • Use robots for sowing & harvesting to minimize human time.
  • Plan organic waste recycling into fuel.

❓ FAQ about monthly excavation

1. Why do we need bio domes?
They support pressure, temperature, and protection from radiation, allowing plants to grow in a controlled environment.
2. Which cultures are prioritized?
Leafy greens, beans, potatoes, and tomatoes — grow fast and provide calories and nutrients.
3. Can regolith be used as soil?
Regolith requires processing: removal of toxic dust, enrichment with organic matter, addition of microorganisms. Often mixed with compost.
4. How much energy does a farm consume?
On average, 0.5–1.2 kW/m² including lighting, climate control, and pumps. The exact value depends on technologies used.
5. How is water controlled?
Water is stored in a closed cycle: condensation, filtration, reuse. Losses are compensated by electrolysis and importing ice.
6. What about gravity?
Monthly gravity of 0.16g affects growth processes. Research on root system stability and transpiration is required.
7. Is genetic modification of plants possible?
YES, you can grow crops with a short cycle and increased resistance to space conditions, but there needs to be an ethical and legal control.
8. How to integrate protein production?
Use comas, cultured cells or microvessels. They complement plant proteins.
9. What are the dust hazards?
Dust damages equipment and lungs. Needed are filters, brushes, electrostatic fields, and special suits.
10. Can production be exported to Earth?
Economically Unviable. Farms are intended for local consumption and preparation of resources for further missions.

📖 Guide with examples

Example 1: Dome for an 8-person crew

Calorie content 2600 kcal, yield 4.8 kg/m².

Required area ≈ 120 m², power 90 kW.

Example 2: Water Recirculation

Area 250 m², coefficient 94%, nitrogen regeneration 72%.

Need for fresh water = 250 × 12 L × (1 - 0.94) ≈ 180 L/day

Example 3: Logistic Buffer

Mass 5 t, cost 90 mln $, reserve 60 days.

Result = (Final product - Initial) / (Substrate consumed).

Example 4: Pilosa Threat

EVA after dust increased by 35%.

SOLUTION:Implement electrostatic barriers and autonomous vacuums.

Example 5: Biodiversity

Microalgae added for oxygen production.

Effect: reduction in oxygen supply demand by 12%.