This paper was presented at the 4th International Conference on Life Support and Biosphere Science in Baltimore, in August 2000.  Abstract
on their web site.

Mars Base Zero

Ray R. Collins, President

ISECCo
P.O. Box 60885
Fairbanks, Alaska 99706-0885
(907) 488-1001 (office) or 479-7320 (Mars Base Zero)
E-mail: [email protected]
ISECCo web site: http://sedona.phys.uaf.edu/~isecco/

Abstract
Mars Base Zero is a semi-closed ecosystem designed to research food production for space applications. Occupied and operational since October 1st, 1999, our ecosystem is slowly coming alive. While we do not expect to be able to support a person on our limited growing area (80 square meters), we expect to produce a third of the calories needed and most of the food weight needed for one person. The research goal of Mars Base Zero is determining the area needed to sustain a person using our techniques. We shall also learn how to recycle wastes produced in our ecosystem, how to deal with gasses like ethylene, the most efficient way to recycle nutrients like water, nitrogen, potassium, etc. We will investigate the effects of supplemental lighting, CO2 enrichment, the efficiencies of using vertebrate and invertebrate protein sources, and the difficulties of operating a closed ecosystem/greenhouse in the extreme Fairbanks environment. Unfortunately sealed operation is not possible, for our structure cannot withstand changing barometric pressures. Our ecosystem is in the process of being built. With the unfinished construction we need to proceed slowly or the needs of the ecosystem will exceed our ability to support it. Even after problems like uneven heating have been overcome, it will take time, for compost piles need cure, earthworm populations are not yet established, crop rotations and planting cycles need to be determined and experimented with. By the time of the conference more data will be available. Mars Base Zero is a project undertaken by the International Space Exploration and Colonization Company. Ray R. Collins is the lead scientist and primary author.