Late on 01 April – 10:35 GMT, to be precise, NASA’s Moon rocket Artemis II launched carrying astronauts to the Moon for the first time in almost 54 years, closely followed by the attention of the world’s media. Having orbited the Earth, its translunar injection burn ignited and the craft, carrying its crew of four, broke free from the Earth’s orbit on its 240,000-mile journey to the Moon. This was the third launch attempt by NASA since February.
What this shows is that there is huge interest in pioneering technology, but that setbacks are to be expected.
The recent launch of our pioneering growing dome – powered by landfill gas – received international acclaim. Among the coverage were pieces in The Times, The Daily Telegraph, and The Daily Mail, as well as on BBC Radio 4.
Such has been the interest in the Super-Midden – and our technology to turn landfill gas into heat, power, and CO2 for year-round fruit and vegetable production – that TV production companies and influencers have been clamouring to film the first harvest.
Initially, our hope was to have production well under way before the end of spring, once the dome had been fully tested and checked. Then we hit a snag – and a big one at that!
During the process of installing the dome, teething problems were identified.
At first our fix worked, but then it became clear that the issue was more significant. Less than a month after its first inflation, the dome and our dreams were in tatters.
What we quickly learnt is that innovation, by its very nature, is going to throw up challenges and curveballs. It requires resilience.
So, just days after the ‘dome disaster’, we were on a flight to China to meet with the manufacturers, to run through the issues, and to work out a practical way forward.
Having invested over a quarter of a million pounds in the first dome, we couldn’t afford a further failure! Learning points in hand, we met to discuss the next iteration of the growing dome and how it could be designed to be more robust.
But here’s the fascinating thing. Instead of being confronted by yet more cost, the manufacturer insisted that there would be no charge for the replacement dome.
That might come as a surprise to many, but China has a culture of honour, and the owner of WALLI, which specialises in inflatable structures, was at pains to right the wrong of the failed dome.
More than that, he insisted on taking us on a tour to see other manufacturers of technology that we could use for the Wiltshire project.
First, we headed off to a hub for hydroponics, helping us to forge relationships with manufacturers that supply the world’s horticulture sector. As we grow and extend our domes from one to 20 in the first phase, and then on to 110 over the next 10-15 years, these direct links will be invaluable.
Next, we visited a freshwater fish and shrimp farm. Here, dark domes are used to prevent algae growth. These require heat and energy to keep water at a constant 25°C for the fish and shrimp, both of which we can provide. So, in addition to year-round fruit and vegetables, our on-site energy production has the potential to power water domes in which river bass and freshwater prawns can be produced for our local community.
So, despite the setbacks, the issue with the first version of the dome has actually generated positive developments. This includes the work of Raj, our agronomist, who has risen to the challenge, forging ahead with initial growing trials in the vehicle entrance of the original dome, making best use of time and the structure still standing.
What now? Well, our countdown has been reset. The new dome left the shores of China on 07 April. If all goes to plan, Mark 2 will be with us by early summer. Then the trials begin again in earnest.
Until next time…
Nick Ash