SPACE AGRICULTURE: CHALLENGES, KEY REQUIREMENTS, AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING AI, ROBOTICS, AND QUANTUM COMPUTING

Abstract

Agriculture is the most crucial aspect for humans on Earth and for establishing sustainable colonies in space. The multiple nations are working hard to develop innovative life-supporting autonomous agricultural systems for a successful life beyond the Earth. However, they face numerous challenges in establishing a life- supporting system in space such as harsh environmental conditions including low gravity, water availability, soil quality, and higher radiation levels. Traditional farming practices are impractical for space-based agriculture; therefore, several cutting-edge technologies are being designed and used to establish extremely sustainable space cultivation systems. This review article focuses on the technological initiative made by the world's most powerful economies for future exploration and effective human colonization in space, and it also addresses the difficulties and necessities to overcome these challenges in space agriculture. The potential of artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, genetically engineered plants, and waste recycling technology in overcoming the obstacles of farming on other planets is also highlighted.