In addition to ongoing sponsorship by SpaceRef Interactive, substantial support for the outfitting and operation of this greenhouse is being provided by the Canadian Space Agency, the University of Guelph, and Simon Fraser University.

The purpose of this greenhouse is to allow the growth, propagation and harvesting of selected plants in support of basic and applied research in the fields of astrobiology, space biology, life support systems studies, information technologies, and human factors investigations. This greenhouse will also serve as a test bed for the sensors, control, and communications systems required to operate the greenhouse in both the presence and absence of humans - as will likely be the case for a similar facility provided as part of a human base on Mars.

This greenhouse is not intended to be a full-featured, high-fidelity simulation of a greenhouse to be established on Mars. Rather, as is the case of most analog studies being conducted on Devon Island, it will support scientific and operations research in an operational setting that is relevant in unique ways to Mars - each at a specific level of fidelity and complexity. The intent is that this greenhouse will serve as an initial experimental field-deployed testbed that will support field research of inherent and immediate value, and from which lessons may be learned to support the design and implementation of future field facilities enabling higher fidelity demonstrations.

Ultimately, through a sequential and iterative program of experimentation, it is hoped that a better understanding of the operational challenges faced by future astronauts on the surface of Mars (or other planetary bodies) will be gained.

Greenhouse utilization is coordinated by an executive team and a science advisory panel. Research to be conducted may include invited contributions to be solicited externally.

A Science Advisory Committee (SAC) has been formed to define the scientific focus and objectives of the Greenhouse project and to oversee the progress made in the research performed. The SAC is responsible in particular for defining the long-term research objectives to be achieved, for contributing to help secure the resources needed to achieve these research goals, and for overseeing the progress made towards the goals.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke, noted science and science fiction author, has generously allowed us to use his name on this experimental greenhouse and is following its progress with great enthusiasm.

Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse: Quick Overview

Greenhouse Purpose

• To allow the growth, propagation and harvesting of selected plants in support of basic and applied research in the fields of astrobiology, space biology, life support systems studies, information technologies, and human factors investigations.
• Serve as a testbed for the sensors, control, and communications systems required to operate the greenhouse in both the presence and absence of humans - as will likely be the case for a similar facility provided as part of a human base on the Moon or Mars.

Project Phases

• Summer 2002: Greenhouse installation and initial performance characterization (weather, internal environment)
• Summer 2003 and 2004: Instrumentation upgrade (weather, internal environment, data, webcams); active cooling and heating; power system; remote monitoring & control (over winter); initial plant cultivation
• Summer 2005: Full operations

The Team

Greenhouse Participants

• NASA Haughton-Mars Project
• SpaceRef Interactive, Inc.
• SETI Institute
• University of Guelph
• Canadian Space Agency
• Simon Fraser University

Project Management^*

• Pascal Lee, Ph.D., SETI Institute/NASA ARC - HMP Principal Investigator
• Alain Berinstain, Ph.D., CSA/University of Guelph - ACMG Principal Investigator
• Keith Cowing, M.A., SpaceRef Interactive Inc. - ACMG Project Manager

^*This Greenhouse project is an effort supported by the entire HMP team. As such, everyone at HMP Base Camp has helped, many in very significant and arduous ways, in all aspects of project operations.

Science Advisory Committee Membership

• Daniel Barta - NASA Johnson Space Center
• Alain Berinstain - University of Guelph/Canadian Space Agency
• Marc Boucher - SpaceRef Interactive
• Stephen Braham - Simon Fraser University
• Charles Cockell - British Antarctic Survey
• Keith Cowing - SpaceRef Interactive
• Michael Dixon - University of Guelph
• Donald Henninger - NASA Johnson Space Center
• Mark Kliss - NASA Ames Research Center
• Pascal Lee - SETI Institute/NASA Ames Research Center
• Andrew Schuerger - NASA Kennedy Space Center
• Kenneth Souza - NASA Ames Research Center (ret.)
• Raymond Wheeler - NASA Kennedy Space Center

Greenhouse Construction

Basic Structure

• ACMG derived from a standard, commercially available greenhouse with some special modifications.
• Support beams at 4 foot centers (as opposed to the commercial version which has 6 foot centers) so as to provide a stronger structure.
• Framework composed of galvanized steel reinforced with internal aircraft cable cross-bracing.
• Covered with 6mm Lexan rated to repeatedly withstand 70 mph loads and not discolor due to solar exposure for at least 10 years.

Assembly Schedule

• 3/02: Greenhouse shipped from factory to NASA ARC
• 4/02: Construction materials bought in NASA ARC area
• 4/02: Test assembly inside NASA ARC Building 1 during Astrobiology Symposium; disassembled and stored
• 6/02: Greenhouse placed on USMC C-130 for transport to Resolute, stored at Polar Shelf facility
• 7/02: Greenhouse loaded onto 2 Twin Otter flights for trip to Devon Island
• 7/02: Greenhouse installed at HMP Base Camp

Dimensions

• ACMG 24 x 12 feet; 10 ft high at apex anchored by machine bolts to platform
• Support platform 30 x 12 feet wide sits atop several dozen footers directly on ground
• Platform: 2" x 6" joists, 3/4" plywood, R5 pink foam
• Local rock pilled around platform - anchor and wind screen
• 12 aircraft cable anchors attached to 1/2" rebar anchors 3 feet into the ground - 1 foot into permafrost