• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
The world's largest Earth science experiment has been running since 1987 and spans 7,200,000 cubic feet

Home> Science

Published 17:09 20 Feb 2025 GMT

The world's largest Earth science experiment has been running since 1987 and spans 7,200,000 cubic feet

It's goal was to test the feasibility of space colonisation

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

Imagine a sealed-off world where humans must survive by growing their own food, recycling air and water, and relying only on their environment.

This is the world's largest Earth science experiment and it dates back to 1987.

The ambitious project spanning 7,200,000 cubic feet is called Biosphere 2.

Advert

But where is Biosphere 1, you ask?

Well, that would be Earth.

The scientific research facility is located in Arizona, US and was designed to replicate Earth’s natural ecosystems (Biosphere 1) in a fully self-sustaining, enclosed environment.

Space Biospheres Ventures began construction of the current facility in 1986 with the goal of testing the feasibility of space colonisation by proving that humans could survive in a completely self-contained habitat.

Advert

Paul Harris / Contributor / Getty
Paul Harris / Contributor / Getty

Now, the facility is under the ownership of the University of Arizona.

In 1991, eight people - four men and four women - were sealed inside the facility with everything they needed to survive.

All their food, water and resources had to come from inside the biosphere and they were to have no contact with the outside world.

Advert

The project launch was staged like a space mission. The $150 million facility was flooded with media attention, with cameras rolling as the team in matching jumpsuits entered their new home for a planned two-year stay.

At first, everything seemed promising.

The biosphere came equipped with forests, deserts, laboratories, recycling systems, and even a coral reef.

It was also home to a variety of animals, including pigs, chickens, hummingbirds and bush babies, all of which were carefully selected to help sustain the enclosed ecosystem. However, things took a bad turn fast.

Advert

Joe Sohm/Visions of America / Contributor / Getty
Joe Sohm/Visions of America / Contributor / Getty

Oxygen levels plummeted so dangerously low that scientists had to pump in extra air to keep the crew safe. Meanwhile, food supplies ran short, forcing the biospherians to ration their meals, explained Linda Leigh, a participant who lived in Biosphere 2.

Understandably, morale was deteriorating among the crew, which eventually led them to split into two factions.

To make matters worse, all of this was going on in the public eye. Tourists would visit the habitat daily, tapping on the glass and taking pictures like it was a human zoo.

Advert

By the time the experiment was terminated, the team emerged exhausted and underweight - but very much alive.

To some, Biosphere 2 can be seen as a failure.

However, as one of the biospherians, Mark Nelson put it: "Just the fact that the same number of people came out as went in is a triumph.”

He added: “I like to say we built it not because we had the answers. We built it to find out what we didn’t know.”

Featured Image Credit: chapin31 / Getty
Science
Space
Earth
History

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

11 hours ago
12 hours ago
a day ago
  • 11 hours ago

    Huge problem with Elon Musk's SpaceX's Starlink satellites is leaving scientists concerned

    The Musk-led company is interfering with future space research

    Science
  • 12 hours ago

    Scientists uncover $12,000,000,000,000 of newfound resource that could power electric cars for 50 years

    This could be a major resource for our future climate

    Science
  • 12 hours ago

    Highest alert issued as Indonesian volcano erupts 11,000 meters into the sky spitting ash for miles

    Authorities are warning people not to go within four miles of the volcano's crater

    Science
  • a day ago

    Video on China's Tiangong Space Station sparks conspiracy theories as everyone notices the same suspicious detail

    Who knew a glass of water could cause such a commotion?

    Science
  • NASA simulation reveals horrifying way Earth could be 'ejected' from the solar system
  • The world's longest running experiment has been happening for almost 100 years and you can watch it live
  • A previously unknown prehistoric 'lost world" has been hiding on Earth 12,000 feet above sea level
  • 4,400,000,000 year-old chunk of Earth oldest to ever be discovered