GAIA'S OUTPOST
GROWING GREEN ON RED
A revolutionary system enabling astronauts to cultivate sustainable plant growth on Mars, utilizing Martian regolith to create self-sufficient food production for future space missions.
Our Mission
Our team came together based on a common objective and passion for the specific challenge presented by growing plants sustainably on prolonged space missions, specifically on future Mars missions. Rather than attempting to use a completely new, Earth-based system aiming to subvert the lack of essential nutrients in Mars's terrain, our team members wanted to create an innovation which could work even using Mars regolith as a base.
Our mission is to make this innovation adaptable to Martian resources and have the capability of growing a variety of produce for multiple astronauts.
Meet Our Team
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Varshini Gandreddy
Hi, I'm Varshini! I'm 15 years old and served as the research and marketing lead, bridging the gap between biology and technology. I analyzed NASA's CHAPEA mission and studied Martian regolith data from the Perseverance rover. This research allowed me to determine optimal soil compositions and identify the organic matter necessary for regolith conversion. This data was used in our design of the tower hydroponic system alongside my teammates to sustain life on Mars. Beyond the science, I built our team's website for Gaia's Outpost and maintained our test experiments daily to ensure successful results. I hope to use this experience to gain more exposure in engineering and aerospace, and grow to be a part of exploration bigger than myself.
Raaga Bukkaraju
Hi, my name is Raaga! I am 16 years old and lead the biological side of Gaia's Outpost. As part of preliminary research, I examined the effectiveness of utilizing organic matter – such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, perchlorate-reducing bacteria, and P/K fertilizer – in modifying Martian regolith. I proposed a system in which these bacterias do not interact with each other, but aid plant growth as they would on Earth. My experience in scientific research and commitment to human health (as someone who aspires to be a doctor!) motivated me to take on this project and advocate for its importance in future NASA missions to Mars.
Dhriti Koyya
Hi, my name is Dhriti. I'm 16 years old, and I led the technology and robotics on this project. By analyzing Perseverance from the time it landed in Jezero till now, I was able to lead the technical strategy for Gaia's Outpost. I specifically studied instrumentation like SHERLOC and PIXL, and Ingenuity's tech, which helped its understanding of the geology of Mars to ensure our soil conversion process is scientifically grounded. With the help of seven years of robotics experience, I translated these NASA-level insights into the design of our own experiment—architecting Gaia's Outpost through a smart hydroponic tower. My goal was to ensure Gaia's Outpost isn't just a concept, but a technically viable solution for the future of space exploration.