*A human mission to Mars has long been advocated. As each year the scientific researches bring humankind closer to establishing human habitats on Mars, the question of how astronauts can sustain themselves whilst away from the blue planet becomes crucial.*

*The project presented in this paper aims at designing and developing the Virtual Reality (VR) simulation of an inflatable modular greenhouse featuring the growing method of hydroponics built in Unity. The use of VR technology allows simulating an immersive environment of a Mars habitat highlighting its greenhouse overcoming the limitation of physical locations. Wearing the Oculus Rift head-mounted display (HMD) while holding Oculus Rift Touch Controllers, astronauts or Mars exploration enthusiasts could experience the highly interactive and realistic environment. Its goal is to provide training and evaluative simulations of astronauts’ basic tasks and performances in the greenhouse on Mars while testing the growing method of hydroponics equipped with a smart growing controlling and monitoring system.*


Virtual Reality to Simulate an Inflatable Modular Hydroponics Greenhouse on Mars

Division / Sponsors: 
Design Engineering Division and Computers & Information In Engineering Division


Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/IDETC-CIE/IDETC-CIE2020/volume/83907

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