Large Scale Crop Production for the Moon

As humanity ventures into the Solar System and settles on other planetary bodies, movement towards independence from Earth to provide consumables such as food, oxygen, and water will be crucial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the current gaps and future perspectives in large-scale crop production for lunar and Martian environments. The methodology includes assessing existing projects aimed at developing greenhouse concepts for in-situ food production and understanding the potential applications of plasma technology in agriculture. Results indicate that in-situ food production will rely on biological organisms, particularly plants and unicellular organisms, as part of regenerative life-support systems. The research highlights the need for resource recycling and decreased dependency on Earth resupplies through technological innovations such as plasma activated water and other advanced agricultural techniques. Furthermore, the study suggests that advancements in plasma technology could lead to improved sanitation and nutrient delivery systems in controlled environments, which would be beneficial for future space exploration missions. This research provides valuable insights for the development of sustainable agricultural practices in extraterrestrial settings.