Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) on Mars for Advanced Life Support University of Arizona

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Ono, Eiichi, author.

Conference Name:

International Conference On Environmental Systems (2000-07-10 : Toulouse, France)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 2000

Summary:

Significant reductions in electrical-power demand as well as in related mass and physical volume might be achieved if available extraterrestrial solar irradiance could be utilized for plant production in a Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) on Mars. Working estimates of the available photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) at Chryse Planitia (22.3° N, 47.9° W), landing site for the Viking Lander 1 (VL-1) on Mars and geographically near the Mars Pathfinder's landing site, were simulated based on the year-long actual irradiance measurements and downward spectral characteristics made by VL-1 in the 1970's. The results showed that the Wm2 to mol m2 s1 conversion factors for Earth and Mars are essentially equal, being approximately 4.6 mol m2 s1/Wm2. For half of the total sunshine hours at Chryse Planitia for a whole Martian year, the incident PPF level is at least 400 mol m2 s. At approximately 7 % of the sunshine hours in a Martian year, however, the PPF level is zero owing to weather factors. Replacing the Martian solar irradiance as gathered by a Solar Irradiance Collection, Transmission and Distribution System (SICTDS) with 40% efficiency would require either 0.1 kW of HPS lighting or 0.16 kW of CWF lighting supplied continuously for 8,235 hrs, which is equivalent to approximately 11.5 Earth months. A plant lighting regime on Mars consisting of 200 mol m2 s1 of PPF and 16 hours of photoperiod per Martian day could be supplemented with available solar irradiance on Mars by as much as 33% when using an SICTDS with 40% efficiency

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

2000-01-2427

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license