Difference between revisions of "Food"
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| − | The amount of '''Food''' that can be brought from [[Earth]] to [[Mars]] is limited, and the logistics of a continued food transport for the long term is expensive. | + | The amount of '''Food''' for [[human]] beings that can be brought from [[Earth]] to [[Mars]] is limited, and the logistics of a continued food transport for the long term is expensive. |
An [[Foundation of an Autonomous Colony|automomous colony]] needs it's own food production. The following reasons apply: | An [[Foundation of an Autonomous Colony|automomous colony]] needs it's own food production. The following reasons apply: | ||
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:*In addition, it takes 2000 to 3000 litres of [[water]] to produce 1 kg of meat, it only takes 100 litres of water to grow 1 kg of grain. Water will be a very valuable commodity on Mars, so the first generation of settlers may well be vegetarian by necessity. | :*In addition, it takes 2000 to 3000 litres of [[water]] to produce 1 kg of meat, it only takes 100 litres of water to grow 1 kg of grain. Water will be a very valuable commodity on Mars, so the first generation of settlers may well be vegetarian by necessity. | ||
| − | ===References | + | ==Nutrition and Energy Calculations== |
| + | Assuming we have no genetically modified plants for the Martian colony we can only try to provide optimized conditions in the greenhouse for maximization of harvest. The following calculation is, therefore, based upon terrestrial agricultural figures. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Potatoes=== | ||
| + | Under best conditions on Earth it is possible to grow 3 kg potatoes per m<sup>2</sup> per year. 3 kg potatoes contain 8820 kJ energy, which roughly serves the energy requirements for one person for one day. So, a person needs about 365 m<sup>2</sup> cropland at a minimum to survive. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Wheat=== | ||
| + | The average harvest of wheat is 0.28 kg per m<sup>2</sup> per year. Under best conditions it is possible to grow 0.7 kg per m<sup>2</sup> per year. 0.7 kg wheat contain 9198 kJ energy, which roughly serves the energy requirements for one person for one day. So, a person needs about 365 m<sup>2</sup> cropland at a minimum to survive. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category: Human Considerations]] | [[Category: Human Considerations]] | ||
[[Category: Greenhouse]] | [[Category: Greenhouse]] | ||
Revision as of 05:02, 18 December 2007
The amount of Food for human beings that can be brought from Earth to Mars is limited, and the logistics of a continued food transport for the long term is expensive.
An automomous colony needs it's own food production. The following reasons apply:
- Financial cost reduction
- Quality of food
- Independence from Earth
Contents
Food that can be brought from Earth
- Several varieties of dehydrated food.
- Natural food that containes large amounts of fat and carbohydrates, such as nuts.
- Concentrated fruit juice.
- Light weight, high energy foods with a long shelf-life.
Local Production Methods
- Vegetable can be grown in greenhouses.
- Proteins, fat and carbohydrates can be produced by a biotechnological factory
- Animals, such as chicken, may be raised in sections of greenhouses.
- It must be taken into account that the production of 1 kg meat requires 7 to 16 kg of vegetable matter.[1]
- In addition, it takes 2000 to 3000 litres of water to produce 1 kg of meat, it only takes 100 litres of water to grow 1 kg of grain. Water will be a very valuable commodity on Mars, so the first generation of settlers may well be vegetarian by necessity.
Nutrition and Energy Calculations
Assuming we have no genetically modified plants for the Martian colony we can only try to provide optimized conditions in the greenhouse for maximization of harvest. The following calculation is, therefore, based upon terrestrial agricultural figures.
Potatoes
Under best conditions on Earth it is possible to grow 3 kg potatoes per m2 per year. 3 kg potatoes contain 8820 kJ energy, which roughly serves the energy requirements for one person for one day. So, a person needs about 365 m2 cropland at a minimum to survive.
Wheat
The average harvest of wheat is 0.28 kg per m2 per year. Under best conditions it is possible to grow 0.7 kg per m2 per year. 0.7 kg wheat contain 9198 kJ energy, which roughly serves the energy requirements for one person for one day. So, a person needs about 365 m2 cropland at a minimum to survive.
