British company Vertical Future has received a grant of 1.5 million pounds from the British space agency for the development of innovative agricultural technologies for growing agricultural crops in space conditions. The project, titled “Autonomous Agriculture for Space Research,” aims to create a prototype of a vertical farm for use at the first commercial space station being constructed by American company Axiom Space, with plans for launch in orbit in 2026.
The focus of the project is on developing a system that will remotely monitor the productivity of crops from Earth. The technologies being tested as part of this initiative could prove crucial for future missions to Mars in the 2030s, as well as for use at the Gateway lunar station and on the Martian surface. Moreover, these technologies could have applications for agricultural projects in controlled conditions on Earth, considering the worsening climatic conditions and food instability.
Professor Anu Oja, director of space research at the British space agency, highlighted that supporting innovative projects like the development of a robotic space farm showcases the UK as a spacefaring nation. This support not only fosters industry growth but also creates job opportunities and attracts investments.
As part of the International Bilateral Fund program of the British Space Agency, a volume of 20 million pounds is also allocated to support projects focusing on space nuclear technologies and enhancing the quality of internal and coastal waters using space technologies.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to expedite the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies to enhance the stability of space operations and reduce the amount of space debris. The British space agency warns that numerous objects created by humans, from satellite systems to astronauts’ toothbrushes and paint, are orbiting the planet, posing a collision risk. Professor Massimiliano Vasile underscored the critical need for more stable space operations for any future space endeavors, emphasizing the role of automation and AI in preventing collisions and assessing impacts on the space environment.