Canadian Space Agency Spends $450K on Latest Arctic Greenhouse
Postmedia News
August 14, 2020
Nunavut residents are being shown how to grow carrots by the Canadian Space Agency to the tune of $450,000.
The CSA described the effort as research on how to produce food during future space missions, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
“The facility will be used to demonstrate plant production operations in a harsh environment and provide research opportunities while testing technology and operational procedures that may one day help astronauts grow food off Earth,” the Agency wrote.
The greenhouse, called the Nuarvik Food Production facility, is in Gjoa Haven — about 250 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, and is set to begin production in 2025.
“Developing capacity within the Gjoa Haven community for the long-term operation of the recently-installed facility is critical to its long-term success as both a local plant production facility and as a test bed for future space systems,” wrote staff.
The project is jointly funded with the Department of Agriculture and National Research Council, but the CSA didn’t reveal the total budget.
“The Agency has only recently commenced activities in the food production domain and is in the process of options analysis to explore how to help improve the accessibility of food across Canada including the North, with the aim of one day taking these lessons learned to help astronauts grow food off Earth,” wrote staff.
Past attempts at Arctic greenhouse operations have failed, according to research.
Sea cans are seen in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut in this undated handout photo. A pair of converted sea cans sitting on the rocky tundra are bringing fresh vegetables to the Arctic. The sea cans have been turned into greenhouses that are already producing lettuce and tomatoes for the residents of Gjoa Haven, well above the Arctic Circle. ARCTIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION / Via The Canadian Press