EarthSeed

02/12/2026

Latest update on the MASH, and new homestead.

Back in November of 2024, I completed the purchase of three acres in Arizona in order to move on to Phase 4: the construction of a larger habitat unit to support up to 8 adults. My initial zeal at acquiring the property was quickly quashed as I realized how much of a challenge it would be to develop...

03/26/2025

Phase 4 has begun!
Land has been purchased, Container arrived, now assessing land and beginning preparations for architectural and permitting process.

I am building the EarthSeed Experience Analog Habitat.
In addition to being able to support the traditional research of Analog Astronauts, we will be designing and building the hab to support a fully operational ecological life support system within.

06/19/2024

We have reached a new benchmark - We restocked the fish pond in the MASH with 20 tilapia this past February. This week, I discovered they had hatched new fry. I estimate over 50 young tilapia fingerlings have survived at least a week, and are doing well. Additionally, we restocked our quail hutch with 6-4 week old quail, and they are due to begin laying eggs shortly after the 8 week mark, just one week away. These two events represent the beginning of our protein production cycle. The new deck is progressing, and should be completed this week, facilitating the movement of most of the solar panels to the sides of the MASH, and freeing up space to begin installing our water distillers.

03/20/2024

We recently exhibited at Tucson Festival of Books Science City. Our farm inside the MASH continues to take shape; Adjustments were made to our quail, we added mealworms, replanted the garden, and have a new crop of tilapia. The marsh is filling with duckweed, and our guppies and minnows are in 7th heaven, keeping the mosquito larvae at bay. The crops are doing far better than previous attempts, and we will be adding Black Soldier Flies to our toilet to handle our wastes. It's getting exciting as we approach our target of TRL 6 by the end of this year. WooHoo!

11/09/2023

Final preparations for the MASH's Travel to MDRS tires to assure safe, smooth trip.

10/26/2023

MDRS has approved the incorporation of the MASH into our Mission 286. There are three specific goals. 1) execute a "docking" to the Science Dome, 2) Assess the performance of the multiple species mini-farm during the mission, and 3) Perform at least one Extended Excursion EVA, using the MASH to transport our EVA team to our exploration site, and permit a local EVA, a meal break in the MASH, and a second local EVA before returning to MDRS.

10/13/2023

It has been over nine months since I began living in the M.A.S.H. As I have been grappling with water recycling, I have realized how much fats and oils we cook with. On the surface of Earth, we don't worry too much because Dish soap does well to emulsify these and send them down the drain, and out of our sight, and out of our minds. Our water treatment systems, however, struggle to process these fats, oils, and grease (FOG) out of the water.

When we begin living on the Moon and Mars, recycling water won't be enough, we'll be required to reduce our FOGs, which could ultimately change the flavors of some foods.

09/24/2023

From our friends at KWOD Radio!

Donald Jacques is a father, grandfather, veteran, programmer, handyman, and analog astronaut. With 8 children, over 15 grandchildren, he is keenly interested in the future. With pollution, climate change, and the opportunity that SpaceX and Blue Origin offer for the exploration and settlement of spa...

09/15/2023

I will be attending the 2023 Mars Society Conference to Present our latest update of progress on our ECLSS. The presentation, "The Application of Many Integrated Species as Biological Life Support Components"

05/04/2023

05/04/2023

On the 2023 EarthSeed Cross-Country Tour

Travelled from Phoenix to Tucson yesterday. Met Donovan who was moving and needed to rehome some fish. I have taken on his 5 ornamental fish and added them to my tank. The tank is now home to 50 Tilapia, and 7 assorted ornamental fish of various sizes.

This past week I accomplished a few things, got the weather station mast secured a little better, and installed the TV antenna and mast. Additionally, I noticed the fish were congregating at the surface, seeming to gasp for air. So I replaced the smaller 1 outlet air pump with a larger 4 outlet pump and new 5" long air stones. Noted this morning the fish are now more active, and swimming throughout the tank.

The trip is planned to last until the 1st week of June, and I had planned to visit Planet Fitness regularly for workouts and shower. However while in Phoenix, couldn't get any hot water, so was forced to use the shower in the bus. OOOOOOh was it wonderful! While I still take my brief (down to 9 gal) showers, the HOT water, and pressure was invigorating!

While here at Biosphere 2, and the Analog Astronaut Conference, I will be making a presentation of a framework for Ecological Life Support in Analog Habitats. Additionally, this weekend I will be placing the plants I picked up last week, and begin setting some seed starts.

We'll see how it goes!

04/29/2023

First stop on the 2023 EarthSeed road trip is the Agave Library in north Phoenix. They are hosting a Paranormal themed event. We are offering tours of the Zombie Apocalypse Survival Bus!