Miniaturizing the Earth's biogeochemical cycles to support human life during future space missions is the goal of the NASA research and engineering program in advanced life support. Mission requirements to reduce mass, volume, and power have focused efforts on (1) a maximally simplified agro-ecosystem of humans, food crops, and microbes; and, (2) a design for optimized productivity of food crops with high light levels over long days, with hydroponics, with elevated carbon dioxide and other controlled environmental factors, as well as with genetic selection for desirable crop properties. Mathematical modeling contributes to the goals by establishing trade-offs, by analyzing the growth and development of experimental crops, and by pointing to the possibilities of directed phasic control using modified field crop models to increase the harvest index.

中文翻译：

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小型化简化农业生态系统以实现高级生命支持的考虑

将地球的生物地球化学循环小型化以支持未来太空任务中的人类生命是美国宇航局高级生命支持研究和工程计划的目标。减少质量、体积和功率的任务要求集中于 (1) 最大限度简化人类、粮食作物和微生物的农业生态系统；(2) 一种设计，可在长日照度高、水培、二氧化碳升高和其他受控环境因素的条件下优化粮食作物的生产力，并针对理想的作物特性进行遗传选择。数学建模通过建立权衡、分析试验作物的生长和发育，为实现目标做出贡献，