NASA, CSA and German Aerospace Center signal lunar agriculture intent

NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center have issued a joint statement of intent. They begin coordinated, preparatory work. The Lunar Agriculture Module-Ground Test Demonstrator is an Earth-based system for learning how crops may be grown on the Moon.

The partnership was recorded as a joint statement of intent among NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center.

The agencies are to begin coordinated, preparatory work.

The Lunar Agriculture Module-Ground Test Demonstrator is an Earth-based test system for understanding how lunar crop production can work.

It is meant to develop technologies required to grow space crops and to examine performance under Moon Base-like atmospheres and controlled environments.

Moon Base is described as infrastructure intended to support an enduring human presence.

The Moon Base effort also aims to advance science and technology in preparation for future human missions to Mars.

Space crops can supply deep-space crews with whole-food nutrition and greater dietary variety.

They can absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen and recycle water, and these capabilities become increasingly important as human missions extend farther.

A reader tracking the lunar industry should note that Moon Base is described as infrastructure for an enduring human presence. Space crops can supply nutrition, absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen and recycle water.

The facts also say these crop capabilities become increasingly important as human missions extend farther, and Moon Base work is tied to preparing for future human missions to Mars.