Med Force General Academy - Project Hydrothera

[Pennyfield]

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Med Force General Academy


Project Hydrothera

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Project brief:

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With the recent economic and political changes in Omicron Theta and surrounding systems, both the cost and dangers of importing basic necessities like food, water, and oxygen have increased. As the academy is dependent on daily deliveries of these items, the risks involved in procurement have become more significant. In response, Project Hydrothera—named by combining "hydro" (water) with "thera" from the Greek word for "therapy"—was initiated by senior students from various disciplines. Their goal was to explore how the academy could reduce its reliance on imports by producing food and oxygen within its own hydroponics bay, ultimately aiming for greater self-sufficiency.

The academy already maintained a small hydroponics bay primarily for pharmaceutical research purposes, but its scale was insufficient to meet the needs of the more than 1,000 inhabitants. Furthermore, without bio-domes traditionally used in large-scale agricultural projects to mimic natural conditions, the students faced an additional challenge: they needed a creative solution to ensure consistent growth in an environment without traditional soil.

To address this, they proposed the use of artificial lighting systems that could simulate the necessary sunlight spectrum to encourage photosynthesis. These lights, coupled with a carefully regulated supply of fertilizers, would support plant growth in the absence of natural soil. The lights could be programmed to mimic day and night cycles, ensuring optimal conditions for plant development, while the steady introduction of nutrients would maintain plant health and productivity over extended periods.

Beyond this, Project Hydrothera seeks to push the boundaries of existing hydroponic systems by introducing advanced crop-balancing automation. This technology ensures that food and oxygen production can proceed uninterrupted, carefully adjusting environmental conditions to suit different crops’ needs. The automation also addresses the issue of soil depletion. Unlike traditional agriculture, where fields must 'rest' between growing cycles to restore soil fertility, hydroponic systems eliminate the need for such downtime. By constantly monitoring and balancing the nutrient input and crop rotation, the system can operate continuously, delivering a reliable and sustainable source of food and oxygen for the academy’s population.

The team envisions that this system, once perfected, could be expanded for commercial use, potentially revolutionizing how other colonies in resource-scarce regions manage their food and oxygen supplies. In the long term, Project Hydrothera could not only ensure the survival of the academy but also set a precedent for other institutions and settlements throughout Omicron Theta."


Project team:

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The Project Hydrothera team is composed of seven senior medical students from the academy, each with a specialized focus that contributes to the creation of a sustainable hydroponics system. While their primary education is medical, their unique expertise equips them to address the complex biological, environmental, and technological challenges of the project. The academy's director, Dr. Jill Xi, oversees the project’s progress, though she is not directly involved, providing guidance and ensuring institutional support.

Drayka Aislyn, Medical Biotechnologist and Team Leader

As the team leader, Drayka is responsible for the overall coordination of Project Hydrothera. Her background in medical biotechnology makes her adept at understanding plant genetics and bioengineering, allowing her to lead efforts in selecting and optimizing plant strains that not only produce high yields of oxygen but also offer high nutritional value for human consumption. She coordinates the team’s work, ensuring each component functions cohesively.

Soren Valen, Pharmacological Botanist

Soren’s specialization in pharmacology and botanical medicine makes him essential for understanding the biochemical properties of plants. He contributes by selecting crops that have potential medicinal uses, incorporating them into the hydroponics bay to serve the dual purpose of food and medicine production. Soren also advises on which plants could provide necessary micronutrients to prevent deficiencies in a closed environment.

Talia Ilyanov, Clinical Nutrition Specialist

Talia’s expertise in clinical nutrition gives her the responsibility of ensuring that the crops produced by the hydroponics system are nutritionally balanced for the academy’s population. She works on calculating the necessary combinations of plants that will provide complete nutrition, ensuring the dietary needs of all 1,000 inhabitants are met through a diverse crop selection. She also focuses on the nutrient quality of the crops produced, aligning them with human health requirements.

Alek Seythar, Medical Systems Engineer

Alek specializes in designing medical equipment, but his engineering background makes him the perfect candidate to manage the technical infrastructure of the hydroponics system. He focuses on the design and integration of automated nutrient and irrigation systems that mimic the human circulatory system in their efficiency. Alek ensures that the artificial lighting systems and water distribution are optimized for continuous growth without overburdening the system.

Riya Melnar, Environmental Toxicologist

Riya’s expertise lies in environmental health and toxicology, making her responsible for ensuring the hydroponic environment remains free of contaminants. She tests the water and air quality in the system, ensuring the environment is sterile and suitable for plant growth without introducing harmful bacteria or toxins that could affect both the crops and the academy’s inhabitants. Riya also monitors the long-term health effects of the plants on the human body to ensure safety.

Lukas Vorlan, Bioinformatics Specialist

With a focus on bioinformatics, Lukas uses his data analysis skills to manage and monitor the automated systems involved in crop rotation and nutrient balancing. He works with Alek to ensure that the crop-balancing automation runs smoothly, using real-time data to adjust plant rotations and nutrient levels. His analytical skills allow the team to predict potential issues before they arise and optimize plant productivity for both oxygen and food output.

Ivy Serrano, Human Physiology and Oxygen Specialist

Ivy’s expertise in human physiology, with a particular focus on respiratory health, is crucial for ensuring that the plants in the hydroponics bay produce sufficient oxygen to support the academy’s population. She calculates the oxygen needs of the inhabitants based on activity levels and ensures that the system can consistently provide adequate oxygen levels. Ivy also collaborates with Talia to assess the impact of various crops on both oxygen production and human health.

Dr. Jill Xi, Academy director, project overseer

Though not directly involved in the project’s day-to-day operations, Dr. Jill Xi, the academy’s director, oversees the progress of Project Hydrothera. With a background in pharmaceutical research and administration, Dr. Xi ensures that the project aligns with the academy’s goals of self-sufficiency and sustainability. She regularly meets with Drayka Aislyn to review progress, offer guidance, and secure resources, ensuring the team has the institutional support needed to succeed.

The Project Hydrothera team is further supported by a group of six experienced volunteers with a wide range of technical expertise. These volunteers, though not directly affiliated with the academy, contribute their time, knowledge, and labor to ensure the project's success. Their collective experience in transport, logistics, engineering, and system optimization provides vital practical skills that complement the medical team's theoretical work.

Bartholomew (Bob) Kelsomagus, Transport Captain and Logistics Advisor

Bob Kelsomagus, a former CEO of Omicron Shipping Industries (OSI) and current administrator of Freeport 1, brings decades of experience in logistics and resource management to Project Hydrothera. His extensive knowledge of transport systems helps the team optimize the delivery and management of essential resources, such as fertilizers, water, and equipment. Bob also advises on the creation of supply chain redundancy strategies to minimize risks related to interruptions in external deliveries.

Ben Folk, Transport Manager and Logistics Coordinator

Ben Folk, transport manager and coordinator with the Med Force General Academy, has a deep understanding of medical supply chains and logistics in space environments. He ensures that Project Hydrothera has access to the necessary materials and supplies, such as high-quality seeds, specialized nutrients, and critical medical equipment. Ben’s logistical planning ensures that every resource required for the hydroponic system is delivered on time, and in the event of external supply shortages, he helps the team find alternatives.

Kara Tavrik, Electrical Systems Engineer

Kara Tavrik is a freelance electrical systems engineer with a passion for sustainability projects. She offers her expertise in designing and maintaining the artificial lighting and electrical infrastructure for the hydroponics bay. Kara's work ensures that the lighting systems are energy-efficient and capable of simulating the ideal conditions for plant growth. Her contributions include troubleshooting electrical issues and optimizing the power grid for both the hydroponics system and the academy’s broader energy needs.

Marc Delson, Mechanical Engineer and Fabricator

Marc Delson, a skilled mechanical engineer with experience in both heavy equipment and precision fabrication, supports the physical build of the hydroponic bay. He designs and fabricates custom components, including advanced irrigation systems, nutrient delivery modules, and modular plant trays. Marc’s hands-on approach helps ensure that the entire system is mechanically sound and easy to maintain, allowing for seamless integration between the technical and biological components of the project.

Dana Corvis, Software Engineer and Automation Specialist

Dana Corvis is a software engineer with experience in developing automation systems for space habitats. She volunteers her time to assist the Project Hydrothera team in refining the crop-balancing automation systems, helping integrate real-time monitoring and AI-driven environmental controls. Dana’s work focuses on optimizing the software that tracks plant growth, nutrient levels, and atmospheric conditions, ensuring that the hydroponic system operates efficiently and without constant human intervention.

Tamrat Simisola, Public Relations Officer

Tamrat Simisola plays a crucial role in Project Hydrothera by managing public relations and external communications. Her responsibilities include ensuring the project's visibility to both the local and broader community, keeping them informed about its progress and objectives. She handles inquiries from individuals and organizations interested in the project or potential collaborations, acting as a key point of contact. Additionally, the instrumental role in fostering partnerships with research institutions, businesses, and organizations that can contribute expertise, funding, or resources.

Together, this team of medical and engineering experts applies their knowledge to a cutting-edge solution, blending healthcare and environmental science to secure the academy's future in an increasingly unstable region. Their work in Project Hydrothera not only promises to reduce dependency on imports but also to pioneer a new model of resource sustainability in space-based environments.


Project phases:

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The stages of Project Hydrothera have been carefully planned to ensure successful development, testing, and eventual large-scale implementation of the hydroponic system. Each phase represents a critical milestone in achieving the goal of self-sufficiency in food and oxygen production for the academy.

Conceptualization and Research Phase (Phase 0)
This initial stage focuses on defining the project’s goals, gathering data, and researching existing hydroponic systems. The team explores how the project can reduce the academy’s reliance on imports, ensuring food and oxygen security for its population.

Key objectives:

• Research existing hydroponic models.
  
• Identify suitable crops for food and oxygen production.
  
• Assess the academy’s energy and resource needs.
  

Requirements

• Travel expenses for research
  
• Procurement of (exotic) food and plants for research
  

Proof-of-Concept Phase (Phase 1)
In this stage, the team develops a small-scale proof-of-concept hydroponic system to demonstrate its feasibility. Crops are grown under controlled conditions to ensure the artificial lighting, nutrient solutions, and automation systems are effective for continuous production.

Key objectives:

• Build a small-scale hydroponic system.
  
• Test artificial lighting and nutrient delivery systems.
  
• Verify crop growth rates and oxygen production.
  
• Refine automation systems to monitor and adjust environmental factors.
  

Requirements

• 5.000 Construction Machinery
  
• 5.000 Fertilizers
  
• 5.000 Hull Panels
  
• 5.000 Industrial Materials
  
• 5.000 Robotics
  
• 1.000 Terraforming Gases
  
• 1.000 Nanotubes
  

Optimization and Expansion Phase (Phase 2)
With the proof-of-concept validated, the system is expanded and optimized for more efficient food and oxygen production. This involves refining nutrient systems, crop selection, and automation. The infrastructure is expanded to accommodate larger crop volumes.

Key objectives:

• Expand the hydroponic system to a medium scale.
  
• Refine the nutrient and water distribution system for efficiency.
  
• Increase automation capabilities for crop balancing and environmental control.
  
• Optimize plant selection to maximize food and oxygen production.
  

Requirements

• 1.000 Construction Machinery
  
• 6.000 Fertilizers
  
• 60.000 Water
  

Large-Scale Implementation Phase (Phase 3)
The system is scaled up to a level capable of supporting the academy’s population of over 1,000 inhabitants. The large-scale hydroponics bay is constructed, ensuring the system can meet the academy’s full food and oxygen requirements, significantly reducing dependence on external imports.

Key objectives:

• Build a large-scale hydroponic system.
  
• Integrate energy-efficient technologies to reduce resource strain.
  
• Test the system's long-term reliability for continuous production.
  
• Ensure oxygen production meets the needs of the academy’s population.
  

Requirements

• 5.000 Construction Machinery
  
• 5.000 Fertilizers
  
• 5.000 Hull Panels
  
• 5.000 Industrial Materials
  
• 5.000 Robotics
  
• 1.000 Terraforming Gases
  
• 1.000 Nanotubes
  
• 6.000 Fertilizers
  
• 60.000 Water
  

Long-Term Monitoring and Sustainability Phase (Phase 4)
This phase focuses on monitoring system performance over time and ensuring long-term sustainability. Data on crop yields, oxygen output, and system efficiency is collected and analyzed for optimization. Adjustments are made to ensure smooth operation and identify potential areas for improvement.

Key objectives:

• Continuously monitor system performance.
  
• Conduct long-term maintenance and troubleshooting.
  
• Analyze data for further optimization.
  
• Explore future crop varieties and sustainability improvements.
  

Requirements

• 5.000 Basic Alloy
  
• 6.000 Fertilizers
  
• 60.000 Water
  

Expansion and Export Feasibility Phase (Phase 5)
In this new phase, the project is expanded beyond the academy’s internal needs. The team focuses on increasing the system’s capacity for food and oxygen production with the goal of creating surpluses that can be exported. This phase also includes developing partnerships with nearby stations and settlements, who are increasingly reliant on imported supplies. By producing surplus food and oxygen, the academy can sell these resources at lower costs than imports, offering nearby colonies a more affordable and reliable supply.

Key objectives:

• Expand hydroponic capacity to produce surplus food and oxygen.
  
• Expand storage capacity to enable storage of surplus
  
• Develop distribution networks for external stations and settlements.
  
• Assess market demand for food and oxygen in nearby colonies.
  
• Optimize production to ensure continuous supply for both internal and external needs.
  

Requirements

• 5.000 Basic Alloy
  
• 10.000 Hull Panels
  
• 5.000 Industrial Materials
  
• 5.000 Optronics
  
• 5.000 Robotics
  
• 6.000 Fertilizers
  
• 60.000 Water
  

Export and Financial Sustainability Phase (Phase 6)
In this phase, the focus shifts to exporting surplus food and oxygen to nearby space stations, settlements, and colonies. The income generated from exports helps the hydroponics project become self-sustaining, reducing dependency on outside funding. This financial stability allows the system to operate at lower costs and ensure consistent production. Nearby stations benefit from a more affordable and locally sourced supply of food and oxygen, increasing the academy's economic influence in the region.

Key objectives:

• Adapt the system for use in other environments.
  
• Create income streams to fund the continuous operation and expansion of the hydroponic system.
  
• Lower the costs of procurement for external colonies, increasing regional economic stability.
  
• Ensure financial sustainability for Project Hydrothera, reducing reliance on external funding.
  
• Expand storage capacity of main water tanks
  

Requirements

• 5.000 Basic Alloy
  
• 10.000 Hull Panels
  
• 5.000 Industrial Materials
  
• 5.000 Optronics
  
• 5.000 Robotics
  
• 6.000 Fertilizers
  
• 60.000 Water
  

Project Hydrothera Inquiries and Collaboration Opportunities:

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For those interested in learning more about Project Hydrothera or wishing to explore collaboration opportunities, we welcome your inquiries. The project is a pioneering effort in developing a self-sustaining hydroponics system capable of producing food and oxygen to support the Med Force General Academy and surrounding settlements. We are open to partnerships with researchers, engineers, suppliers, and institutions interested in advancing sustainable technologies and agricultural innovation.

All communications regarding inquiries, partnerships, or contributions should be directed to:

Tamrat Simisola
Public Relations Officer
Med Force General Academy

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