SWAG
system
Smart
Waste-based
Agriculture
Growing
System
Origin of our idea
In order to survive on the moon in the long term, astronauts will need to eat healthily. This would either require regular food supplies from earth or producing food on site. However, nutrients that are vital for plant growth are limited or not found on the moon. In addition, it is a difficult and time-consuming task to look after plants to ensure they can grow most efficiently and robustly.
The SWAG-Team is trying to tackle this problem by building a highly efficient system that can offer the optimal conditions for vegetables to grow sustainably, even on the moon.
... We are building a machine that grows vegetables and herbs sustainably in a controlled environment...
Working Progress
Testing our system
Last year in Zermatt under the glacier of little Matterhorn, this year on the peak of Mt. Pilatus in Lucerne with the control room at the Verkehrshaus…
Our journey started at an international Student’s project called ESA_Lab@CH IGLUNA, organised by Swiss Space centre and initiated by the ESA. This is where our idea was developed and tested for the first time. This year the SWAG System will be tested at the Field Campaign openly to the public on the peak of Mt. Pilatus between the 10th and 19th July 2020.
Why are we doing this?
So many people have looked up at the sky at night and asked themselves: “Are we really alone in the universe?”
We believe that space exploration is one of humankind’s greatest achievements. It is therefore inspirational and a great honour to be able to learn from experts and be part of the IGLUNA project.
We also hope to make a contribution to and be a part of future achievements for more sustainable food production, whether in space or on earth.
Our vision planned for the moon is applicable on earth
The human population is projected to reach 10 billion people by 2050. This does not only require a more productive food industry, it also puts the environment under enormous pressure due to intensified agriculture. In addition, climate change will jeopardise future harvests. For the sake of sustainability, we need to rethink agriculture: Crops need to be grown nearer to cites, for example in unused urban areas, and they need to be grown more efficiently using much fewer resources.
We believe that Urban- & Smart-Farming like the SWAG-System is part of the solution.