Bees in Space: ULmonitor, the beehive remote control tool for the Mars colonies, tested within the Noah’s Ark project carried out in analog space base LUNARES in Pila, Poland.
- Paper number
IAC-19,A1,8,8,x54172
- Author
Dr. Malgorzata Perycz, Poland, Open Science Foundation
- Coauthor
Dr. Aleksander Wasniowski, Poland, Space Garden Scientific Council
- Coauthor
Mr. Ryszard Krzyśka, Poland, LUNARES Experts' Board
- Year
2019
- Abstract
Bees are one of the most intensively studied insect species in the history of humankind. Bringing the bees to the future extraterrestrial colonies could be beneficial in many ways, ranging from plant pollination through the production of the substances for food and medical purposes, to the psychological aspects of the astronaut-animal interactions. Considering the limitations of the future Mars colonies’ artificial environment, especially in terms of the small area and the intensity of human labor, the whole process of beekeeping should be as little effort consuming and autonomous as possible. Everyopening of the beehivefor a simple check-up disturbs the delicate microclimate of the hive, excites the swarm, and may cause irreversible damage to the weakened families. Therefore, we decided to include the ULmonitor, the automatic check-up system invented for beekeepers, to the analog missions programme carried out in the LUNARES Research Station, within the Noah’s Ark project , dedicated to study and develop the self-sustainable micro-ecosystems for food and medicine production on board. This study focuses on the influence of Apis mellifera family isolation in artificial environment on the hive and swarm parameters, , and the integration of the ULmonitor and HabOs systems for enabling the analog astronauts to control the hive remotely. The data on the swarm activity and behavior gathered with ULmonitor could have vast applications in the development of AI systems and the direct terrestrial, agricultural output.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-19,A1,8,8,x54172.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.