Biosphere 2 - Planning Center
Biosphere 2 is a facility built to explore the viability of supporting human life in a closed, self-contained structure as a predecessor to a prolonged manned space flight to distant planets and beyond. The project was begun in 1984 by Ed Bass and John P. Allen with construction from 1987 to 1991. The name was chosen to represent the second known fully self-sufficient biosphere — the first being Earth itself. There were two “missions”, the first with 9 crew members beginning in 1991, lasting two years. The second had 7 crew members in 1994, lasting 10 months. The structure is dominated by what is essentially a sealed greenhouse containing various areas such as a tropical rainforest, ocean complete with wave action and coral, upper savanna, and a coastal fog desert. The crew members were able to grow enough food for a low-calorie, nutrient-dense diet which maintained their health while experiencing a modest weight loss. One of the biggest and unexpected challenges was the decrease in oxygen within the sealed system which ultimately was determined to be due to absorption of carbon and oxygen by the exposed concrete inside Biosphere 2. The complex is now owned and operated by the University of Arizona which is directing research projects including research into the terrestrial water cycle and how it relates to ecology, atmospheric science, soil geochemistry, and climate change. You can tour the facility with a smartphone-based guide to the major parts of the complex.
Size: 8256px × 5504px
Location: Oracle, AZ, USA
Photo credit: © B. David Cathell / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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