Simulation Modeling of Space Plantation
Ayumi Sato, Kyoichiro Toki (Tokyo Univ. Agriculture and Technology)
Modeling of semi-closed ecological system was conducted for a conceptual design of space plantation. Life cycle of farming plants, i.e. growth, harvest, and termination of life was taken into account in the modeling. Heat budget in the system was considered at modeling a regulation system for agricultural environment (temperature, atmospheric pressure, and its composition). Response of plants against environmental parameter was defined in order to numerically analyze heat, and atmospheric dynamics including water vapor. Variation of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor in atmosphere is evaluated with the index of solar light incidence and life cycle of plants. Fruiting process and translocation of photosynthetic products were considered in the plant growth modeling. The space plantation model was designed to be donut like shape. Artificial gravity is generated by rotating around its axis. Solar light is guided to farming section by a combination of round disk mirror and a conical mirror placed at the center of the donut configuration. Louver was found effective to control temperature of the farming part in the desired range.
