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Inside Biosphere 2: A Sealed World's Secrets
22 Jan
Summary
- Biosphere 2 is a sealed glass structure testing closed-world survival.
- Eight people lived in isolation for two years in the 1990s.
- University of Arizona now stewards the facility for environmental research.
Biosphere 2, a unique sealed glass structure in the Arizona desert, was constructed to explore the viability of closed-world human survival. Originally conceived to reflect Earth's living systems, it famously housed eight participants for two years starting in 1991. This pioneering experiment aimed to understand the intricate interactions within a self-sustaining environment, where all air, water, and food were recycled internally.
The early mission presented significant hurdles, including declining oxygen levels and difficulties in food production, alongside interpersonal tensions. Despite these challenges, the experiment underscored the fragility of closed ecosystems and the critical need for precise life support systems. Since its inception, ownership and management have evolved, with Columbia University and currently the University of Arizona overseeing its operations.
Under the University of Arizona's stewardship since 2011, Biosphere 2 has transformed into a key site for long-term environmental research. It hosts sophisticated installations like the Landscape Evolution Observatory, focusing on soil, water, and rock interactions. The facility continues to serve educational purposes, drawing over three million visitors who discover a dynamic research laboratory rather than a relic of past ambitions.
