Food sustainability on Earth and in future space missions requires cultivation systems capable of operating under extreme conditions with efficient use of water, nutrients, and energy and reduced dependence on conventional agricultural soil. Tharsis AeroFarm is a student-led project of the Aerospace Engineering Group at the University of Costa Rica (GIA-UCR), focused on designing and developing an automated aeroponic cultivation system adaptable to terrestrial and space environments.

The project proposes a modular and hermetically controlled soilless cultivation prototype based on nutrient-solution atomization and automated monitoring of temperature, humidity, lighting, and nutrient supply. The integration of sensors, actuators, and control systems will provide controlled conditions for experimental crop evaluation. The initial prototype will be implemented on Earth to validate plant-growth parameters under controlled conditions, with future prospects for adaptation to space-like environments, including simulated atmospheres and microgravity.

Inspired by agricultural challenges in rural Costa Rica, where intensive agrochemical use and soil degradation can compromise productive sustainability, Tharsis AeroFarm seeks resilient and sustainable alternatives for food production. Future research will explore the integration of beneficial microorganisms to improve nutrient uptake and crop resilience.

The project combines engineering, sustainability, and social commitment, contributing to innovative agricultural solutions for adverse production conditions and technologies with potential applications in space exploration.