The Planetary Society is pleased to announce the winners of its Science and Technology Empowered by the Public (STEP) grant program. The chosen projects for this year include an investigation into deep-space agriculture and a study of Earth’s salty lakes that resemble extraterrestrial bodies of water. Dr. Andrew Palmer and his team from the Florida Institute of Technology will be exploring food production systems for lunar and Martian agriculture, while Dr. Jacob Buffo and his interdisciplinary team from Dartmouth College will be studying brine-rich planetary analog environments. These cutting-edge research projects aim to contribute to the sustainable exploration of space and provide valuable insights into alien environments.
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Announcement of STEP Grant Winners
The Planetary Society is pleased to announce the winners of the second round of its Science and Technology Empowered by the Public (STEP) grant program. This year’s grant recipients have been chosen for their innovative projects in deep-space agriculture and the study of Earth’s salty lakes that resemble extraterrestrial bodies of water. These projects were selected for their potential to contribute to the sustainable exploration of space and provide crucial insights into alien environments.
Overview of the STEP grant program
The STEP grant program, founded by The Planetary Society, aims to fund science and technology projects that advance space exploration and enable breakthroughs in space science and technology. The program is made possible through the generous support of the society’s members and donors, who have been instrumental in funding various projects throughout the organization’s history. The STEP grant recipients are chosen through an open, international, and competitive process, reflecting The Planetary Society’s commitment to exploring other worlds, finding life, and defending Earth.
Introduction to the winners and their projects
The two winners of the 2023 round of STEP grants are Dr. Andrew Palmer and Dr. Jacob Buffo. Dr. Palmer’s project focuses on deep-space agriculture, while Dr. Buffo’s project centers around the characterization of brine-rich planetary analog environments. Both projects have been recognized for their potential to expand our understanding of space exploration and contribute to future missions.
Deep-Space Agriculture: Evaluation of food production systems for lunar and Martian agriculture
Project leader: Dr. Andrew Palmer
Dr. Palmer, along with his team at the Florida Institute of Technology, has been awarded $50,000 for their project titled “Evaluation of food production systems for lunar and Martian agriculture.” This project aims to investigate different methods of growing edible plants in simulated deep-space conditions, specifically comparing the use of hydroponics with simulated lunar and Martian regolith. The research conducted through this project will contribute to the development of sustainable food production systems for long-term space travel, addressing the challenges associated with growing fresh crops in space.
Description of the project
The deep-space agriculture project led by Dr. Palmer focuses on evaluating food production systems for lunar and Martian agriculture. The team will conduct extensive research into growing edible plants in simulated deep-space conditions. By comparing hydroponics with simulated lunar and Martian regolith, the project aims to identify the most efficient and sustainable method for growing fresh crops in space. This research is vital for long-term space exploration missions that require a reliable and continuous supply of fresh food.
Comparison of hydroponics with simulated lunar and Martian regolith
Hydroponics, which involves growing plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil, has proven to be an effective method for agriculture on Earth. However, the conditions in space, particularly on the moon and Mars, are vastly different. By comparing hydroponics with simulated lunar and Martian regolith, Dr. Palmer and his team aim to understand the specific challenges and advantages of each method in a space environment. This research will provide valuable insights into optimizing food production systems for long-duration space missions.
Importance of fresh crops for long-term space travel
Fresh crops play a crucial role in providing astronauts with essential nutrients and maintaining their physical and mental well-being during long-duration space missions. Currently, most food for space missions is pre-packaged and processed, which may not provide the same nutritional benefits as fresh food. The deep-space agriculture project led by Dr. Palmer aims to address this challenge by developing sustainable food production systems that can support the cultivation of fresh crops in space. This research has the potential to greatly enhance the quality of food available to astronauts on long-duration missions, improving their overall health and well-being.
Salty Lake Research: Multiscale Characterization of Brine-Rich Planetary Analog Environments
Project leader: Dr. Jacob Buffo
Dr. Buffo and his team at Dartmouth College have been granted $49,284 for their project “Multiscale Characterization of Brine-Rich Planetary Analog Environments.” This project focuses on studying hypersaline lakes in British Columbia, Canada, that share compositional similarities with bodies of liquid water on celestial bodies like Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. The research conducted through this project will provide valuable insights into the habitability of alien environments.
Description of the project
The salty lake research project led by Dr. Buffo aims to characterize brine-rich planetary analog environments by studying hypersaline lakes in British Columbia, Canada. These lakes possess similar compositions to past and present bodies of liquid water on other celestial bodies, which makes them ideal analogs for studying extraterrestrial environments. By investigating the multiscale characteristics of these lakes, Dr. Buffo and his team seek to gain valuable insights into the habitability of alien environments and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Investigation of hypersaline lakes in British Columbia, Canada
Hypersaline lakes in British Columbia, Canada present a unique opportunity to study environments that bear similarities to extraterrestrial bodies of liquid water. These lakes share many of the same compositional characteristics as past and present bodies of water on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus, making them valuable analogs for studying the habitability of alien environments. By conducting in-depth investigations of these hypersaline lakes, Dr. Buffo and his team hope to uncover vital information about the conditions necessary for life to thrive in extreme environments.
Similarities with past and present bodies of liquid water on other celestial bodies
The hypersaline lakes in British Columbia, Canada offer a unique opportunity to study environments that closely resemble bodies of liquid water found on other celestial bodies. Mars, Europa, and Enceladus, for example, are believed to have or have had bodies of liquid water beneath their surfaces. By studying the similarities between the hypersaline lakes and these celestial bodies, Dr. Buffo and his team aim to gain insights into the potential habitability of these extraterrestrial environments and further our understanding of the possibilities for life beyond Earth.
Support from The Planetary Society
History of crowdfunding support
Throughout its history, The Planetary Society has relied on the support of its members and donors to fund science and technology projects. Through crowdfunding initiatives, the society has provided a platform for space enthusiasts and passionate individuals to contribute to the exploration of other worlds, the search for life, and the protection of Earth from potential threats. The STEP grant program is a testament to the organization’s commitment to engaging the public in space exploration.
Commitment to exploring other worlds, finding life, and defending Earth
The Planetary Society is dedicated to advancing space science and exploration by empowering the world’s citizens. With a global community of over 2 million space enthusiasts, the society advocates for space policy, conducts educational outreach, supports scientific innovation, and fosters global collaboration. The STEP grant program aligns with the organization’s mission to explore other worlds, find life beyond Earth, and defend our planet against potential threats.
Selection process for STEP grant recipients
The STEP grant recipients are chosen through a rigorous and competitive selection process. The grants are open to individuals and teams worldwide, ensuring a diverse range of innovative projects are considered. The selection process includes a thorough evaluation of the project proposals, assessment of their scientific merit, and consideration of their potential impact on space exploration and the understanding of our universe. The chosen projects exemplify excellence in science and technology and demonstrate the potential to push the boundaries of human knowledge.
Generous Support from the Halicioglu Family Foundation
The Halicioglu Family Foundation has generously contributed to the development and implementation of the STEP Grants program. Their support has been pivotal in enabling The Planetary Society to fund groundbreaking projects in science and technology. The foundation’s commitment to advancing space exploration and enhancing our understanding of the universe aligns perfectly with the goals of the STEP grant program.
Details of the Winners’ Projects
For more information on the projects funded by the 2023 round of STEP grants, interested readers can refer to an article published by Dr. Bruce Betts, Chief Scientist and STEP grant program manager at The Planetary Society. Dr. Betts provides a comprehensive overview of both projects, highlighting their significance in advancing space exploration and contributing to our knowledge of the universe.
Press Resources
The Planetary Society’s Chief Scientist and STEP grant program manager, Dr. Bruce Betts, is available for interviews to provide further insights into the STEP grant program and the groundbreaking projects it supports. Interested parties can arrange interviews with Dr. Betts through Danielle Gunn, the Chief Communications Officer of The Planetary Society. Additionally, press releases and other resources about the STEP Grant Program and The Planetary Society are available for reference.
In conclusion, the announcement of the second round of STEP grant winners by The Planetary Society highlights the organization’s commitment to advancing science and technology in the field of space exploration. The winning projects in deep-space agriculture and the study of salty lakes possess immense potential in broadening our understanding of space and its habitability. With the generous support of the Halicioglu Family Foundation and the engagement of the society’s members and donors, The Planetary Society continues to make significant contributions to the exploration of other worlds, the quest for life beyond Earth, and the protection of our planet.
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