CEEF: CLOSED ECOLOGY EXPERIMENT FACILITIES

Abstract

Since 2005 to 2007, material circulation has been demonstrated connecting the Closed Plant Experiment Facility (CPEF) and the Closed Animal and Human habitation Experiment Facility (CAHEF) of the Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities (CEEF). The CPEF has a Plant Cultivation Module (PCM), which consists of three plant chambers illuminated solely by electric lighting, one plant chamber illuminated by both natural and electric lighting, a space for preparation, an airlock, and a physical/chemical material circulation system. The total cultivation area of the PCM was 150 m2. The CAHEF has an Animal and Human habitation Module (AHM), which consists of an animal room, a habitation room, closed corridor, an airlock, and a physical/chemical material circulation system. During the material circulation experiments, two humans (called eco-nauts) stayed in the CEEF for a closed habitation experiment. In these experiments, 23 crops including rice, soybean, peanut, and sugar beet were cultivated in the PCM, and two goats stayed in the AHM. 82 – 95% of the food consumed by the eco-nauts and 79 – 100% of the feed to the goats was produced from crops in the PCM. The oxygen added to the atmosphere of the PCM by photosynthesis of crops was separated and supplied to the atmosphere of the AHM. Increased carbon dioxide in the AHM atmosphere by respiration of eco-nauts and goats was separated and supplied back to the atmosphere of the PCM. In addition to food production and air circulation, water circulation was also conducted in the CEEF in 2006 and 2007. Likewise, experiments on processing and circulation of materials from wastes in the CEEF were conducted in 2007. Closed habitation experiments in 2005, each lasting one week, were conducted three times. In 2006, although the eco-nauts changed each week, 2-week habitation experiments were conducted three times. In 2007, 1-week, 2-week (two times), and 4-week habitation experiments were conducted. Data obtained in all experiments conducted in 2005-2007 will be invaluable for examination and planning of human-in-loop systems necessary for independent, long-term human habitats, such as a Mars base.