The project was developed in collaboration with the University of Bergamo. The assigned task concerned the design of a greenhouse for Mars colonization.
We started from an existing project based on a room containing shelves supporting vases with plants. Not satisfied from the innovative point of view, we have broken down the problem and analyzed the critical aspects: volumes, water, supply and location on the Martian soil.
The geometry assumed to be planar for the shelves has now been revised to exploit all the space around the user and hydroponics is the optimal solution for the difficult availability of water and nutrients on the Martian soil.
Because of the environmental conditions on the Martian surface, the caves and lava tunnels present in the subsoil guarantee a natural shelter. The lighting, resulting poor, will be provided artificially.
After an analysis of the available technologies in the literature we have started with the design e development of the Mars Aquaponic Rotary System (M.A.R.S.).
The high transportability guaranteed by the capsule shape of the external shield, the adaptability on all terrain to the pneumatic feet, the resource recycling capability and the possibility of 3D printing on-site of tools and vessels, donate to M.A.R.S. project: versatility, efficiency and independence on long periods.
This project has been inspiring from an innovative and design point of view. Changing the physical environment in which we operate has given way to find new solutions also useful for terrestrial scenarios.
Riccardo Prina, Niccolò Signorelli
