Interplay of Fogponics and Artificial Intelligence for Potential Application in Controlled Space Farming

Abstract

Most studies in astrobotany employ soil as the primary crop-growing medium, which is being researched and innovated. However, utilizing soil for planting in microgravity conditions may be impractical due to its weight, the issue of particles suspended in microgravity, and its propensity to harbor pathogenic microorganisms that pose health risks. Hence, soilless irrigation and fertigation systems such as fogponics possess a high potential for space farming. Fogponics is a promising variation of aeroponics, which involves the delivery of nutrient-rich water as a fine fog to plant roots. However, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of fogponics compared to other soilless cultivation methods is essential. Additionally, optimizing fogponics systems for effective crop cultivation in microgravity environments is crucial. This study investigated the interaction of fogponics and artificial intelligence for crop cultivation in microgravity environments, aiming to replace soil-based methods, filling a significant research gap as the first comprehensive examination of this interplay in the literature. A comparative assessment of soilless fertigation and irrigation techniques to identify strengths and weaknesses was conducted, providing an overview through a literature review. This highlights key concepts, methodologies, and findings, emphasizing fogponics’ relevance in space exploration and identifying gaps in current understanding. Insights suggest that developing adaptive fogponics systems for microgravity faces challenges due to uncharacterized fog behavior and optimization complexities without gravity. Fogponics shows promise for sustainable space agriculture, yet it lags in technological integration compared with hydroponics and aeroponics. Future research should focus on microgravity fog behavior analysis, the development of an effective and optimized space mission-compatible fogponics system, and system improvements such as an electronic nose for an adaptive system fog chemical composition. This study recommends integrating advanced technologies like AI-driven closed-loop systems to advance fogponics applications in space farming.

1. Introduction

Human space exploration has emerged as one of the primary interests among all nations, which portends a new era of innovation and opportunity. Space exploration refers to the endeavor of exploring outer space beyond Earth’s atmosphere. It involves sending spacecraft, both crewed and uncrewed, to study celestial bodies such as the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The goal of space exploration is to expand the knowledge of humanity about the universe, understand the origins of life, and potentially establish a human presence on other planets [1]. However, with the intention of executing each space mission successfully, it is significant to acknowledge that the notion of space farming plays a crucial role in meeting the requirement for sustainable food production, especially during extended space missions [2]. Furthermore, it is crucial for astronauts to have access to consumables that are abundant in nutrients in order to sustain their survival in the vast expanse of deep space. The sustainability of space exploration is contingent upon humanity’s capacity to consistently supply food, water, and oxygen [3]. At present, the preponderance of consumables required to sustain astronauts are transported from Earth. However, as the length of space missions continues to grow and human exploration extends to more remote areas, the personnel must develop the ability to cultivate vegetation reliably in modified microgravity environments [4]. Thus, in order to support human existence in space, it is crucial to develop plant-based food production systems. Moreover, one promising terrestrial agricultural technique that is currently being explored and exploited is the fogponics system.

Recent advancements in the field of astrobotany represent a significant stride in humanity’s quest to cultivate and sustain plant life in extraterrestrial environments. Space-grown plants, nurtured in conditions ranging from microgravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to the simulated soils of Mars [5,6], have provided valuable insights into the complexities of plant growth beyond Earth. Advanced sensors and imaging technologies enable the real-time monitoring and optimization of plant health in space [7], while the exploration of genetic modifications seeks to enhance plant adaptability to the unique challenges of other celestial bodies [8]. The concept of bioregenerative life support systems, which integrate plant cultivation into closed-loop ecosystems, has gained momentum, offering hope for future self-sustaining colonies on the Moon, Mars, and beyond [9,10]. Furthermore, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America, a pioneering independent organization in the field of space research, has been actively engaged in the development of farming tools and technologies that have had far-reaching impacts on the agricultural industry [11]. Leveraging its expertise in engineering and innovation, NASA has been riding the momentum of space-related research to pioneer advancements in precision agriculture, remote sensing, and sustainable farming practices on Earth. Together with other countries and their agencies, this study compiled all plant habitats in space [5,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20] and created a timeline visualization (Figure 1) that traces the evolution of space-based cultivation environments. In 1946, the first attempt at spaceflight plant biology occurred. This timeline not only highlights the progressive shift from early experiments to sophisticated agricultural systems aboard spacecraft but also identifies critical milestones in the development of controlled-environment agriculture. Ensuring the meticulous regulation of a maximum number of variables is critical to the creation of these botanical habitats. Every piece of compiled apparatus shares this characteristic. Everything is strictly regulated and monitored, including airflow, pressure, nutrient levels, watering, and illumination.

Many studies and innovations have already been performed, as shown in Figure 1 [5,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20]; however, space farming continues to ensure a consistent and ample food supply for astronauts while simultaneously enhancing productivity, optimizing resource utilization, and increasing nutritional value. As was observed from the timeline illustrated in Figure 1, the majority of the studies in astrobotany utilize soil as the crop-growing medium being researched and innovated on. Plant pillows are popular in the field, and they were extensively studied by NASA as part of the Veggie Project. They are similar to grow bags [21]. They are small rooting packets that contain soil, fertilizer, substrate, and germination wicks or water wicks along with attached seeds. These pillows are designed to interface with the root mat reservoir watering system, providing a capillary water column for growing plants. However, it has been published that utilizing soil for planting in microgravity conditions, such as in ISS laboratories, which has an 8.66 m/s² gravitational potential, may be impractical due to its weight, the issue of particles suspended in microgravity, and its propensity to harbor pathogenic microorganisms that pose health risks [22]. Sequentially, new techniques are currently being developed and introduced for the purpose of replacing soil while retaining its function in plant cultivation. Even NASA is slowly changing the cultivation medium to soilless [23]. NASA is performing evaluation and optimization on the hydroponics system at the ISS, and they are proving that hydroponic plant watering technologies can support plant habitats on crewed or robotic space missions, even in the absence of gravity. NASA is exploring many ways, and hydroponics stands out due to its significant benefits, including reduced system weight, natural oxygenation, simplicity, and the possibility of automation [23].

Soilless irrigation and fertigation system technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and fogponics were considered promising. However, recent studies have shown that fogponics systems possess more advantages compared with hydroponics [24,25]. A fogponics system entails the cultivation of plants in the absence of a soil medium. It is a type of aeroponic-based planting method that relies on suspending plants in the air or in a fog without relying on soil for nutrients. The fog is usually produced by an ultrasonic fog generator that creates microdroplets of water and nutrients, making it easier for plants to absorb [26,27]. It offers advantages such as efficient nutrient utilization and the ability to control environmental conditions with the utilization of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Also, it was posted that manipulating root-zone environments through aeroponics can further enhance crop productivity [28]. This method can also be combined with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to replace sunlight energy and promote uniform growth [29]. Furthermore, fogponics can result in higher yields compared with conventional methods, as demonstrated in a study on potato production [30]. The system facilitates the isolation and processing of plant roots, leading to an increased accumulation of biologically attractive constituents [31]. Additionally, it offers benefits such as reduced water usage, independence from soil quality and weather conditions, and the ability to cultivate plants in urban areas [32]. The development of specialist agricultural technologies is crucial for providing nutritious food in space, and fogponics offers a potential solution for efficient food production in long-term space exploration scenarios [33]. Upon searching the literature, no publications that allow a fogponics system to function in microgravity conditions were found.

In line with these, this study addresses the significance of reviewing existing literature toward the assessment of the fogponics systems’ capability to operate in a microgravity environment with the objective of replacing soil as the crop cultivation medium. Also, it was aimed at exploring other soilless fertigation and irrigation agriculture methods and conducting a comparative assessment to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each method. A more comprehensive understanding of the most effective and efficient soilless techniques for microgravity-conditioned crop cultivation is achieved through the utilization of this comparative approach. This review aims to provide a strategic overview of the existing body of knowledge pertaining to fogponics, encompassing key concepts, methodologies, and findings from prior research. By examining the literature, this review seeks to highlight the evolution of thought and experimentation in the field, emphasizing the relevance of fogponics in the unique context of space exploration. It illuminates the contributions and limitations of past studies, identifies gaps in the current understanding of fogponics, and ultimately paves the way for the development and application of fogponics systems tailored for space applications. The literature review strategy performed in this study is the screening and selection of articles strategy. This strategy is a critical step in the literature review process, as it allows this study to identify and focus on the most relevant information. In selecting articles, this study imposed two key criteria. First, the article should be directly relevant to the established research questions of the study and should contribute to the understanding of the topic. Second, it should be recent enough to ensure that the information is up-to-date and relevant. By following these guidelines, this study ensures that the literature review is focused, relevant, and of high quality. The allocation of the related literature based on their relevance to established key research areas is shown in

Table 1. Matrix of related literature allocation based on their relevance to established research areas.

Key Areas	Subject Matter	References
Fogponics background research	Terrestrial fogponics system and its advancement	[26,27,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46]
	Applied industrial revolution 4.0 technologies	[26,27,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54]
	Fog generation and dispersion mechanisms	[26,27,42,53,55,56,57,58,59]
Other soilless irrigation and fertigation systems	Hydroponics	[23,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74]
	Aeroponics	[64,65,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82]
Microgravity fog behavior analysis	Fog Behavior in Microgravity Environment	[83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92]
Integration of AI with fogponics	Challenges and advantages of integrated AI and fogponics in microgravity cultivation	[22,23,26,93,94,95]

. This section is followed by seven more major sections to examine the related literature, namely (1) terrestrial fogponics systems; (2) other soilless irrigation and fertigation system technologies; (3) fog behavior in microgravity environments; (4) fog generation and dispersion mechanisms; (5) challenges and advantages of integrated AI and fogponics in microgravity cultivation; (6) discussion and future directions; and (7) conclusion.

Furthermore, this study mainly contributes to the following:

• Technical feasibility of the fogponics system in a microgravity environment. This study analyzed the effectiveness of nutrient delivery mechanisms via fog, assessing factors such as particle generation and dispersion, environmental control, and nutrient uptake by plants. By examining these technical aspects, this study aimed to explore fogponics system design to ensure reliable and efficient crop cultivation under unconventional conditions;
• Strategic recommendations for integrating fogponics technology into future space missions or planetary colonization efforts. By elucidating the adaptability and effectiveness of fogponics for microgravity-conditioned crop cultivation, this study lays the groundwork for enhancing food security and self-sufficiency in isolated or resource-scarce environments, both on Earth and beyond.

2. Terrestrial Fogponics System

Fogponics, a variation of aeroponics, involves the delivery of nutrient-rich water as a fine fog to plant roots, offering a promising solution for efficient and sustainable crop cultivation. In addition, aeroponic systems, such as fogponics, can be vertically stacked (also known as vertical farming) to conserve space due to the absence of soil requirements [34]. It was posted that this agricultural method offers a number of advantages that would generally benefit agriculturalists: (1) it eliminates the need for soil; (2) it is more efficient than traditional farming methods; (3) it occupies less space and can be implemented in any setting; (4) it is not influenced by seasonal variations; (5) it requires minimal or no use of pesticides and herbicides; (6) it provides plants with the optimal range and quantity of nutrients; (7) plants are safeguarded from pests and diseases; and (8) the technique can be utilized to separate crops during tests [35,36,37,38].

The components of a fogponics system [34] are illustrated in Figure 2. The system is composed of five components: the reservoir, growing area, crops, lights, and growing medium. First, the reservoir is a receptacle that is utilized to stow the nutrient solution for the system. An effective fogponics system requires nutrients that have the ideal levels of conductivity, pH, salinity, and oxygenation in the nutrient solution [39]. A publication posted that aeroponics fertilizers consist of six vital elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). These nutrients are provided to plants in the form of a balanced ratio of anions, nitrate (NO₃-), dihydrogen phosphate (H₂PO₄-), and sulfate (SO₄²-), as well as a balanced ratio of cations: potassium (K+), calcium (Ca²⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺) [40]. Second, a location or growing area is necessary for the installation of the fogponics system. As fogponics simply requires a nutrient-liquid solution, any available space can be utilized for this purpose. Third, the growing medium of the proposed system is air. When compared to aeroponics, a fog emitter (also known as a fogger device) generates particles between 5 and 30 microns in diameter. The produced fog nourishes and hydrates the roots of the vegetation. The smaller particles produced by fogponics promote greater absorption of nutrients [34]. In addition, compared with aeroponic spray particles, fog can reach a greater extent of the plant’s root [41]. Also, the absence of a moving nutrient solution in hydroponics facilitates crop monitoring [41]. Next, the fourth component of the system is the crop-growing lights. Since light is essential for photosynthesis, indoor fogponics systems utilize LEDs and other light sources to supplement solar radiation. The last component is the crop to be cultivated in the system. Plants that can grow in a fogponics system are highly important to be determined and examined.

A typical fogponics set-up is shown in Figure 3, where plants are visualized as being placed on top of the reservoir or container, making their roots suspended in the air space between them and the liquid nutrient solution. Usually, fogponics systems utilize fog emitters that float on top of the liquid solution [34]. It also consists of an air pump to externally supply oxygen to the plants. These devices directly hydrate plant roots by oxygenating and maintaining the humidity of the root environment. As can be observed, the system designed is not ideal for a microgravity environment because the liquid solution and the fog particles here are expected to float chaotically in all directions, which also makes it difficult for the fogger to produce fog.

2.1. Fogponics System Advancements in Recent Years

Over the past few years, the advancement of fogponics systems has been notable, signifying a dynamic and progressive phase in agricultural technology. Innovations in this field have encompassed improved system designs, enhanced automation, and more precise control over environmental parameters. There is no concrete information on the exact date or year when fogponics was first introduced. However, the patent for efficient fogponics agriculture systems and methods [42] was granted to S. Bouchard on 5 March 2020. This suggests that the concept of fogponics has been around for at least a few years. Additionally, a research paper [27] on an energy-efficient smart indoor fogponics farming system was published in February 2021, which further indicates that the technology has been in development for some time.

Table 2. Prior developments of terrestrial fogponics system enhancements.

Reference	Year Published	Necessity	Solution
[42]	2020	To ensure uniform mist distribution, both low and high-pressure aeroponics necessitate an excessive quantity of nozzles per plant. Furthermore, the utilization of low pressure to deliver nutrients tends to obstruct these nozzles. Conventional aeroponics has been uneconomical in nature, posing difficulties in terms of design, operation, and maintenance when applied to large-scale cultivation.	The invention provides cheap methods and systems for fogponics; the system utilizes pumps for nutrient dispersion and sensors for environment monitoring. It integrates scalable and modular fogponics crop cultivation systems. The novelty it possesses is the implementation of a dispenser that utilizes a booster pump and a high-pressure pump to atomize the nutrient mixture into a nutrient vapor. These pumps can produce an approximate range of 800 PSI to 1500 PSI.
[43]	2020	The improper formulation of nutrient solutions in hydroponic cultivation, which can lead to resource waste and lower-quality harvests.	Provided a greenhouse wireless sensing fog farming system, where the target concentration value of liquid fertilizer can be set according to the growth stage of the plant, the required concentration ratio of the culture liquid mist can be effectively and accurately supplied during the growth stage of the plant, thus having better harvest quality, and reducing the improper mixing of the culture liquid.
[27]	2021	Absence of sunlight for indoor fogponics system. It is necessary to provide a suitable light quantity of up to 8 h to 10 h a day to produce a healthy plant production.	Integration and optimization of LED lamps as a replacement for sunlight energy.
[44]	2021	The invention fulfills a requirement for a method and system that enables the bulk production of plants in a controlled environment while monitoring each plant individually.	The fogponics growing system that has been devised is a scalable and modular approach to plant cultivation within a mass production setting, enabling individual plant monitoring. Individual plant separation allows for targeted adjustments in nutrient and moisture delivery, ensuring optimal growth conditions for each plant compared with shared cultivation chamber.
[45]	2022	Scarcity of land and water for agriculture in the Indian subcontinent due to urbanization and technological advancements.	The developed system is a cutting-edge innovation that allows for the cultivation of agricultural goods in an enclosed environment using minimal water resources and recycling wastewater from air conditioning condensers and reverse osmosis plants.
[26]	2022	The obstacle faced in fogponics is maintaining environmental conditions that support plant development.	Utilization of AI Technology. The fuzzy algorithm becomes an automatic regulator for actuator activation to maintain fogponics environmental conditions. The results of each data reading and calculation of the processed data using fuzzy logic are stored on the IoT platform, which can be accessed using devices connected to the Internet.
[46]	2023	There is a need for a fogponics system that can adjust the light (LED) irradiation distance and improve the supply and circulation of nutrient solution in the form of fog, resulting in better crop growth.	Improved the supply and circulation structure of nutrient solution in the form of fog, which can be circulated and recycled, by using an ultrasonic vibration module in the cultivation bed trays, allowing for the adjustment of light irradiation distance.

lists the prior development of terrestrial fogponics systems. Within the past few years, there have been publications that have effectively developed fogponics systems with the purpose of enhancing crop cultivation, boosting agricultural efficiency, and exploring their adaptability in diverse environmental contexts. In line with the present study, the previously developed fogponics systems discussed are only applicable to earth agriculture and were not intentionally developed to operate in a microgravity environment. These recent developments can serve as a fundamental basis for the study. Upon searching the literature, no publications that allow a fogponics system to function in microgravity conditions were found.

2.2. Applied Industrial Revolution 4.0 Technologies in Fogponics System

The application of advanced technologies to fogponics systems represents a significant leap forward in agricultural innovation. In recent years, the integration of smart sensors, data analytics, and automation has revolutionized the way fogponics is approached. These systems now possess the capability to monitor environmental parameters in real time, adjusting factors such as humidity, nutrient delivery, and lighting with exceptional precision. The applied technologies integrated into fogponics systems will be discussed in this section. The technologies are the following:

• Internet of Things (IoT). The term “IoT” denotes a network comprising interconnected physical entities or “things” that are equipped with software, sensors, and other technological components. This enables these objects to gather and exchange data with other systems and devices via the Internet [47,48]. These objects can collect and transmit data via IoT technology, allowing for automation, remote control, and monitoring. By embedding sensors, actuators, and connectivity features, IoT devices collect and transmit data about their environment, usage, and performance, enabling real-time monitoring, control, and automation of various processes and systems. One study [26] was able to create a fogponics system that was operationalized with IoT technology. The system used IoT to control environmental conditions, allowing it to automatically read temperature, humidity, and pH data. The IoT technology was also employed to store the processed data and results on an IoT platform, which was then accessed through Internet-connected devices such as mobile phones and computers. This allows remote monitoring and control of their fogponics farming system. However, this study acknowledges the need for further system enhancements, aiming to utilize the technology on a real farming application.
• Fuzzy logic. This system facilitates reasoning and decision-making in circumstances characterized by uncertainty, imprecision, or ambiguity through the utilization of multivalued logic. Situations in which conditions or variables are difficult to classify into binary terms but can be expressed in hues of gray are ideal candidates for fuzzy logic [49,50]. It finds effectiveness in a multitude of domains, encompassing expert systems, control systems, artificial intelligence, and decision support systems, where it helps model complex, real-world problems that involve ambiguity and uncertainty [51,52]. The system comprises a collection of fuzzy IF-THEN rules that define the relationship between input and output in the networks [49]. The main components of fuzzy logic include fuzzification, an inference engine that transforms precise inputs into fuzzy values; rule-based reasoning, which utilizes a fuzzy reasoning mechanism to produce a fuzzy output based on rules; and defuzzification, which converts the fuzzy output subsequently to a precise value. Input membership functions that define the mapping of system input values from 0 to 1 constitute fuzzification. Rule-based reasoning employs the membership values of fuzzy input to categorize fuzzy output using a table that consists of if-then rules. Rules can be quantitatively expressed as a logical implication p → q, where p represents the condition or premise of the rule, and q indicates the result or outcome. The process of defuzzification generates precise values for single system outputs through the utilization of a defuzzification formula and fuzzy output membership outputs. The FIS computing framework is based on the fundamental ideas of fuzzy reasoning, fuzzy set theory, and fuzzy if-then logic. In line with this, the study [26] utilized Sugeno fuzzy logic in the system that it developed. The logic serves as a control algorithm that would regulate the environmental conditions in the fogponics farming system based on the inputs from temperature, humidity, and pH sensors. The actuators can be activated or deactivated by the system by transmitting fuzzy results to each output device. The findings of their research indicate that the actuators’ responses are consistent with the established fuzzy rules. The actuators are activated for each data point by the results of the fuzzy algorithm processing, ensuring that the value of each data point falls within the established normal value range.
• Cyber-physical systems. These sophisticated technological systems are expansive, interconnected systems that are built upon the interactions between physical and cyber elements. They consist of three fundamental components: communications, control, and computing [53]. It is intricately linked with the operational, monitoring, coordinating, integrating, and controlling physical processes. Its fundamental attributes traverse both the physical and digital realms, employing actuators for control and sensors for computation [54]. This technology was utilized by [27], where an LCD display plays a crucial role in the digital–physical interaction by providing real-time feedback and data visualization. Manual actuation of their developed system relies on the information given by the digital interface of real physical cultivation. With this, the environmental conditions of the system were able to be controlled.

3. Other Soilless Irrigation and Fertigation System Technologies

Soilless irrigation and fertigation system technology represents an innovative approach to crop cultivation that eliminates the need for traditional soil-based agriculture [96]. Instead, this method relies on advanced systems to deliver water, nutrients, and essential minerals directly to plant roots in a controlled environment. Soilless cultivation techniques, such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and fogponics, have gained prominence in commercial agriculture [97], indoor farming [98], and even space farming [23], as they offer opportunities for year-round production, conservation of water resources, and the potential for high crop yields. As well as the application of phyto-sensing, artificial intelligence, and IoT technologies to maximize input use, real-time plant-based sensing and monitoring systems are becoming more prevalent in irrigation and fertigation system technology for soilless culture [99]. These advancements aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of nutrient and water management in soilless cultivation systems. Additionally, there is a focus on developing adaptive greenhouse soilless cultivation fertilizer water irrigation systems that can collect and analyze data on the nutrient solution, allowing for closed-loop monitoring and precise control of irrigation and fertilization [100]. The use of fertigation, coupled with micro-irrigation, is also increasing in horticultural cropping systems, as it allows for precise delivery of nutrients and water to the crop, resulting in high nutrient use efficiency [101].

Hydroponics, an alternative to conventional soil cultivation methods, entails the development of plants in a nutrient-rich water solution, where plants receive essential nutrients and water directly through a carefully controlled water-based solution [60]. This method utilizes various delivery systems, such as drip irrigation, the nutrient film technique, and deep-water culture, to provide water and essential nutrients directly to plant roots. Hydroponics offers distinct advantages, including precise control over nutrient levels, pH balance, and water delivery, resulting in increased crop yield and quality. Furthermore, hydroponics exhibits remarkable water efficiency in comparison to traditional soil-based techniques, requiring a substantial amount of water, making it suitable for urban areas and arid regions where water conservation is critical. However, adapting hydroponics for microgravity environments poses unique challenges. Issues such as water management, weight and space constraints, and the need for controlled air circulation must be carefully addressed to ensure successful plant growth and sustainable food production in space habitats. Overcoming these challenges will be essential for leveraging hydroponics’ potential benefits in extraterrestrial agriculture and enhancing food security for future space missions. Lately, given the challenge of controlling and containing the water in the system due to zero gravity, a capillary fluidic hydroponic system [61] capable of operating in diverse gravitational conditions has been created and evaluated for cultivating crops in space. A passive fluid delivery mechanism is used, which significantly lowers the number of movable elements that can be contaminated. This results in a very reliable solution that requires minimal resources to operate. Currently, NASA is performing tests and optimizing the system on the ISS, and they are proving that hydroponic plant watering technologies may support plant habitats on crewed or robotic space missions, even without the assistance of gravity [23].

Aeroponics is a method of growing plants without soil in which the roots are suspended in the air and nourished by a mist of water containing nutrients. This method utilizes larger droplets, typically ranging from 50 to 100 microns in size, providing maximum oxygenation to the roots and efficient nutrient absorption. One of its key advantages is water efficiency; it uses less water compared with traditional hydroponics while still supporting robust plant growth. Aeroponics is particularly promising for space farming due to its ability to optimize root oxygenation, conserve space, and facilitate precise control over environmental conditions. The method’s efficient use of resources and ability to operate in controlled environments make it a compelling choice for sustainable food production in space habitats and other resource-limited settings, highlighting its potential as a key component of future extraterrestrial agriculture initiatives.

Aligned research publications and patents were purposely developed, and one of these is the recent invention of Z. Lui et al. [62], which describes a hydroponics nutrient solution circulating irrigation system and method that addresses the frequent need for nutrient solution addition and root rot. Another is an automatic hydroponics system for the soilless cultivation of lettuce using ZigBee wireless network technology [63]. This study was able to increase the average fresh weight per plant under intelligent control irrigation compared with manual irrigation. Also, the average drainage rate is smaller under intelligent irrigation compared with manual control irrigation. Furthermore, a compound soilless cultivation irrigation system [64] that overcomes the disadvantages of single irrigation methods was patented. It integrates both hydroponics and aeroponics systems to meet various irrigation requirements and improve the growth efficiency of soilless cultivation plants. This invention consists of a water culture system, an air culture system, and a sprinkler irrigation system.

These works of literature collectively reflect a growing interest in and reliance on soilless irrigation and fertigation systems, as they offer solutions to various agricultural challenges while aligning with sustainability and resource conservation goals. However, there is a need for more research on knowledge transfer to farmers and technical advisors to ensure the practical adoption of these technologies and techniques [102]. While fogponics represents a nascent entrant in the realm of soilless agriculture, it aligns itself with the overarching trajectory and prospects of its methodological lineage in the pursuit of enhancing and elevating terrestrial farming practices.

Advanced Technologies Applied on Hydroponics and Aeroponics System

Other soilless irrigation and fertigation systems have also been extensively studied, with researchers exploring innovative applications and methodologies to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. Through rigorous investigation and experimentation, advancements have been made in various aspects of these systems, including irrigation techniques, nutrient delivery methods, and control systems. A list of the utilized advanced technologies is shown in

Table 3. Advanced Industrial Revolution 4.0 technologies applied in hydroponics and aeroponics systems.

Technology	Description	Function	Hydroponics	Aeroponics
IoT	A network comprising interconnected physical entities or “things” that are equipped with software, sensors, and other technological components. This enables these objects to gather and exchange data with other systems and devices via the Internet [47,48].	The IoT platform was used to monitor, automate, store system parameters, and/or provide graphical interface remote access.	[65,66,67,68]	[65,75,76,77]
Genetic Algorithm (GA)	GA is an advanced optimization method that can handle intricate objective functions. It mimics the process of biological evolution by employing genetic crossing and mutation [103].	GA was utilized to determine the optimal value of the dependent parameter in generative plant growth.	[69,70,71]	[78]
Fuzzy Logic	Fuzzy logic is a form of multivalued logic that allows for reasoning and decision-making in situations where there is uncertainty, imprecision, or vagueness [49].	Fuzzy logic was applied as an environmental control system.	[71,72]	[79,80]
Machine Learning (ML)	Deep Neural Network (DNN) is a type of ML and a refined version of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with increased hidden layers, which has been demonstrated to attain superior accuracy in comparison to ANN [67].	Utilized DNN to forecast the optimal control action for system regulation.	[67]	-
		Crop yield prediction model.	-	[81]
		Crop yield optimization model.	[73]	-
	K-nearest Neighbour (KNN) is a straightforward and intuitive machine learning algorithm utilized for regression and classification tasks [68].	Utilized KNN to control decision-making based on the predefined data set values.	[68]	-
	Lasso Regression is a linear regression technique used for feature selection and regularization [68].	Lasso Regression is utilized to estimate the relationships between variables and make predictions	[68]	-
	ANN is a computational model that is designed based on the structure and operation of biological neural networks [69].	The relationship between various EC value treatments and TSS value and fruit weight was identified using ANN.	[69]	-
	The Random Forest algorithm is a robust ensemble learning technique that may be applied to both regression and classification tasks [82].	The algorithm is utilized for yield prediction.	-	[82]
		Variable pattern adjustment for crop modeling	[74]	-

, together with their functions on the system and the publications in line with them.

4. Fog Behavior in Microgravity Environment

Fog is naturally composed of small water particles suspended in the air, typically ranging from tiny droplets to larger mist-like formations. The behavior of water particles in microgravity, as extensively studied and documented by scientific research, reveals intriguing phenomena distinct from what is observed under Earth’s gravity. In microgravity environments such as those encountered in space or during parabolic flight experiments, water behaves quite differently due to the absence of the gravitational forces that dominate on Earth. In a microgravity setting, water does not settle into a typical liquid phase but instead forms spherical shapes due to surface tension forces [83,84]. These spherical-shaped liquids can float freely in the air, sometimes merging to form larger droplets or adhering to surfaces in unexpected ways. The imbibition of these water spheres, which have a radius of R_i, surface tension of σ, viscosity of μ, and density of ρ, always starts with an initial period of motion influenced by inertia, occurring over a time scale of τ [84] (1). Furthermore, without the force of gravity pulling water downward, the behavior of water vapor and condensation changes significantly [85,86]. Water vapor can form dense clouds or mist-like formations that disperse more slowly and persist longer in microgravity, affecting humidity levels and potentially impacting air quality within enclosed environments like spacecraft. In a microgravity environment, the contact area of the liquid is reduced compared with terrestrial gravity. However, this contact area can be augmented by introducing big bubbles, resulting in the same value as under Earth’s gravity. As the gravity decreases, the impact of surface irregularity diminishes due to the bubble dynamics that occur under microgravity. The primary factor influencing the behavior of liquids aboard an orbiting spacecraft is surface tension phenomena. These phenomena give rise to an apparent anomaly in the liquid’s response when compared to its behavior observed on Earth [87]. The capillary pressure at a fluid–fluid interface, denoted as Δp, is directly proportional to both the surface tension σ and the radius of curvature R₁ and R₂. These radiuses are calculated as the intercepts of the surface’s normal to two orthogonal planes, as shown in (2). Understanding these unique behaviors of water particles in microgravity is crucial for designing and operating systems for life support, water management, and environmental control in space habitats, as well as for advancing technologies like fogponics for sustainable crop cultivation beyond Earth.

$$\tau ={\left(\frac{\rho R_i^3}{\sigma }\right)}^{\frac{1}{2}}$$

(1)

$$\mathsf{\Delta }p=\sigma \left(\frac{1}{R_1}+\frac{1}{R_2}\right)$$

(2)

Fogs in microgravity behave differently compared with fogs in normal gravity conditions. In microgravity, the behavior of fogs is influenced by factors such as aeroelectric structures, fog-particle charging, and neutral gas turbulence [88]. The electrical properties of fog in microgravity have been studied through aeroelectrical observations and theoretical modeling, which have shown that fog increases the intensity of electric-field pulsations. However, the spectrum of the electric field in fog does not differ drastically from fair-weather conditions [89]. The presence of fog in microgravity can also have an impact on the behavior of suspended phases, such as solid and liquid particles, at the solidification front of metals [90]. Researchers discovered in previous investigations that ensuring sufficient aeration and hydration to the root region of the crop under zero gravity conditions poses a challenge. To develop a fogponics system under microgravity conditions, researchers will encounter the challenge of constantly providing enough fog on the roots, creating the necessary humidity in the system. Nevertheless, scientists have already established that photosynthesis can continue routinely in microgravity conditions, provided that plants are supplied with sufficient light, water, and nutrients [91]. Furthermore, a cohort of University of Tennessee students participated in the NASA Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunity Program in March 2003 and March 2004, when they designed and executed experiments aboard KC-135 aircraft (Johnson Space Center) to examine simulated forced flow condensation via air–water mixture flow. Their experiments on a simulated condensation process confirmed expectations for fog flow under reduced gravity [92]. After conducting a publication review, existing literature suggests further research is required to fully understand the behavior of fogs in microgravity conditions, given that there are yet no publications strongly characterizing their behavior.

5. Fog Generation and Dispersion Mechanisms

Naturally, fog is formed through a condensation process when the air is cooled below its dew-point temperature, and the presence of condensation nuclei is necessary for this process to occur [55]. Artificially, the fine fog or aerosol of nutrient-rich water that is used to deliver essential nutrients to the plants’ root systems is generated by various mechanisms, including the most utilized ultrasonic fog generators. This review emphasizes the significance of water droplet size. This is vital for the maintenance of aeroponic expansion. In an aeroponic system, an excessively sizable water droplet restricts the amount of oxygen that can reach the root system, while an inordinate amount of root hair develops in the absence of lateral root development necessary for sustained growth when water droplets are too fine [53]. The present study aimed to investigate the most suitable fog-generating and dispersion mechanism that would effectively function in a microgravity condition. This involves articles and patents starting from the year 2015 up to 2022.

First, the ultrasonic fog generator device utilizes ultrasonic vibrations on a piezoelectric surface to disintegrate liquid into nano-sized mist or fountain fog [56]. The ceramic disk in the ultrasonic fogger vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, typically around 1.7 MHz. These vibrations are transmitted to the liquid, causing rapid oscillations on its surface. This process creates regions of low and high pressure in the liquid, leading to the formation of microscopic bubbles or cavities in a phenomenon known as cavitation. The bubbles collapse rapidly due to the surrounding liquid’s pressure, producing tiny droplets of liquid. This continuous formation and collapse of micro-bubbles generate a fog of fine liquid particles suspended in the air. This mechanism offers several advantages for atomization culture, including the production of fine fog droplets with high adhesion that enhance nutrient absorption by plant roots. Operating at supersonic frequencies, the device generates micro droplets of water and nutrients that are readily absorbed by plants, promoting efficient growth. The compact size of the device aligns well with the proposed fogponics system, ensuring practical implementation within confined spaces. However, a notable challenge associated with this device is its rapid thermal transfer due to the supersonic vibrations, which requires careful management to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance in soilless irrigation applications. This fogging device is currently commercialized and is commonly used by fogponics farmers. Two publications [26,27] were able to utilize this device in their developed fogponics systems. The first study was able to successfully design and develop one based on fuzzy logic and the Internet of Things. Their results show the potential of their system for a real farming setting since their evaluation only commenced at a laboratory level. The second one developed an indoor fogponics system that highlights the utilization of optimized LED lights as a replacement for the sun for photosynthesis. The ultrasonic fogger device successfully irrigated the crops’ roots with nutrients. However, their system falls short, for none of their crops managed to grow properly because of overwatering.

The second device is a recently patented dispenser that utilizes a booster pump and a high-pressure pump to atomize the nutrient mixture into a nutrient vapor. The pump is capable of generating an estimated range of 800 PSI to 1500 PSI [42]. The dispenser technology used in this patent allows for scalability, making it suitable for large-scale agriculture operations. It overcomes the issue of clogging that is often encountered in low and high-pressure aeroponics systems. This ensures a consistent and uninterrupted supply of mist to the plants. However, this dispenser may require precise calibration to ensure accurate and consistent nutrient dispensing. This calibration process may require careful attention to detail and regular monitoring to maintain optimal nutrient delivery.

The next mechanism patented uses a low-pressure fog to form fine water particles, which are then pulverized using a venturi nozzle [57]. After the literature review, this method was the first one published, and it was in 2015. The nozzle has a nipple guiding jaw and a conical vortex space. The flow path guides water into the vortex space from the outside of the body, ensuring efficient fog formation. This method increases the efficacy of the fog by generating micro-fog that is more finely divided than the conventional low-pressure fog while minimizing water and compressed air usage. Despite that, the close contact structure between the nozzle fixture and the nozzle in the fogger device can result in problems when the screw is worn during the disassembling and assembling process for cleaning the nozzle, as the nozzle may not be firmly pressed.

The fourth one is a fog bubble machine [58]. This combines a fog generation system with a bubble-forming system to generate bubbles enclosing fog. This patented fog bubble-generating machine works by collecting and concentrating fog and then spraying it from an air bubble port while also infusing bubble water into the fog to create bubbles. However, there are unfavored cases, such as the fog-generating liquid running out or the failure of the heat exchanger; the device may experience overheating or interruption of fluid delivery. Also, this system covers a lot of space for space farming applications.

Lastly, another patent uses a liquid container, a pump, a solenoid valve, a heater, and a compressor to generate and control the flow of fog [59]. The fog is generated by a pressurized nozzle that pumps clean groundwater or tap water. The fog generated by the nozzle is then struck against the wall of a bubble diffusion tunnel formed near the nozzle, resulting in the production of artificial fog. It has a compact size and rapidly generates fog to spread over a long distance to rapidly correspond to a situation of a stage, thereby expecting directing functionality. However, the capability of the device is not significant for the aimed fogponics system, even though it can rapidly produce fog.

6. Challenges and Advantages of Integrated AI and Fogponics in Microgravity Cultivation

Integrating AI with fogponics for microgravity cultivation presents a frontier ripe with both challenges and advantages, as shown in Figure 4. Chief among the hurdles is adapting AI algorithms and fogponics systems to function optimally in the unique environment of microgravity, where traditional farming methods are unviable. One of the challenges in integrating AI and fogponics for microgravity cultivation is navigating the system complexity inherent to the unique space environment. Microgravity introduces a myriad of logistical and technical hurdles, demanding innovative solutions to ensure the seamless operation of farming systems. Examples are ensuring consistent nutrient delivery through the fog and continuous feed of liquid solution to the fogging device. In microgravity environments, the absence of gravitational forces alters fluid dynamics and nutrient distribution [23], complicating the task of maintaining optimal growing conditions. Additionally, weight and volume constraints in space habitats pose significant challenges, requiring compact and efficient design solutions to optimize resource utilization and minimize footprints. Moreover, the reliability of AI-driven decision-making in space adds another layer of complexity [93], necessitating robust algorithms capable of adapting to dynamic environmental conditions and unforeseen contingencies. Energy efficiency and power consumption considerations further compound the challenges of space-based agriculture [94]. With limited energy resources available in space, optimizing energy usage and minimizing power requirements have become critical factors in the design and operation of farming systems. Especially when the cultivation method requires continuous operations of fogging devices and LED lamps, overcoming these challenges demands a holistic approach that integrates technological innovation with rigorous optimization strategies.

However, amidst these challenges, integrating AI and fogponics offers a few advantages that hold transformative potential for microgravity agriculture. Fogponics, with its soilless cultivation method, can significantly enhance crop production by providing optimal growing conditions and nutrient delivery [26]. AI, on the other hand, can dynamically optimize nutrient distribution, environmental controls, and overall system performance, thereby bolstering resource efficiency and crop yields [95]. Moreover, the integration of AI and fogponics presents an opportunity to replace traditional soil-based cultivation techniques, which possess inherent disadvantages, such as bulkiness and susceptibility to soil-borne pathogens [22]. By leveraging fogponics and AI technologies, space-based agriculture can transition toward more efficient and sustainable cultivation methods, paving the way for long-term food production in space habitats. Furthermore, the potential for sustainable food production in space holds profound implications for future space exploration and colonization efforts. By establishing self-sustaining food production systems, humans can mitigate reliance on Earth-based supplies and lay the groundwork for extended missions to distant celestial bodies. In conclusion, while the integration of AI and fogponics in microgravity cultivation poses formidable challenges, it also offers unprecedented advantages that have the potential to revolutionize space-based agriculture. By addressing system complexity, resource constraints, and technological limitations, researchers and engineers can unlock new frontiers in sustainable food production, paving the way for humanity’s expansion into the cosmos.

7. Discussion and Future Directions

After conducting a strategic review of published articles, journals, and patents, the interaction of AI technologies and fogponics for potential application in controlled space farming determines IoT, fuzzy logic, evolutionary computation (EC) algorithms, digital twin, ML algorithms, and computer vision (CV) as a significant prospect towards enhancing the system functionalities of fogponics system, enabling sustainable crop cultivation in space. As shown in Figure 5, IoT was published to enhance real-time monitoring, analysis, and optimization while remotely managing and optimizing cultivation parameters [47,65], ensuring efficient plant growth and system operation. Moreover, the fuzzy logic algorithm has already been proven to enhance system resilience and optimize crop growth by forecasting and controlling environmental conditions [26,80], making it an effective approach to regulating the environment. Evolutionary computation algorithms should also be utilized to effectively optimize fogponics LED light intensity, LED irradiation distance, and systems’ operating temperature and humidity in response to crop growth, hereby maximizing plant growth and yields while conserving energy and creating an optimal growth environment. Digital twinning can also be employed to remotely manage and optimize cultivation parameters. By mirroring the behavior and characteristics of the physical fogponics system, the digital twin allows for monitoring, analysis, and optimization of its performance, behavior, and condition. For ML algorithms, this can be utilized for fog quality monitoring, enhancing system resilience, optimizing crop growth, forecasting harvest outcomes, and resource utilization [67,73]. Lastly, computer vision can function as a crop classification and a quantity- and quality-monitoring technology. This will enable automated management and optimization of cultivation processes. In conclusion, the integration of AI technologies such as the Internet of Things, fuzzy logic, evolutionary computation algorithms, digital twins, machine learning algorithms, and computer vision holds immense promise in advancing the functionalities of fogponics systems for sustainable crop cultivation in space. Through the strategic utilization of these technologies, real-time monitoring, optimized environmental control, and automated management of cultivation processes can be achieved, paving the way for enhanced efficiency, resilience, and yield in space farming endeavors.

Furthermore, this study was also able to generate a mind map of the literature review overview, key concepts, and future directions, as shown in Figure 6, providing a clear outline of the knowledge synthesized from the reviewed studies. The development of an adaptive fogponics system that is capable of functioning effectively in a microgravity environment is rightly suggested, yet it is a huge challenge due to the uncharacterized fog behavior and the optimization of the system in the absence of gravity. This research explored literature related to recent advances in the field of astrobotany. The review observed that soilless methods were recently studied, and all the past studies utilized soil as the growing medium. Utilizing soil for planting in microgravity conditions, such as in space laboratories, has been found to be impractical due to its weight, the issue of particles suspended in microgravity, and its propensity to harbor pathogenic microorganisms that pose health risks. Hence, the replacement of soil is highly encouraged. From the three reviewed soilless irrigation and fertigation systems, fogponics, with its advantages, displayed the highest potential in terms of sustainable food production in space habitats and long-duration space missions. However, this study was also able to observe that prior developments of fogponics systems only integrated three types of advanced technology, the IoT, fuzzy logic, and cyber-physical systems, while hydroponics and aeroponics have already been explored for a long time, integrating a number of advanced technologies into them. Consequently, this study proposes to utilize and assess advanced technologies to enhance the functionalities of fogponics systems. AI-assisted closed-loop systems minimize resource utilization and waste generation. After examining the prior advancements of fogponics systems that are recommended to be integrated into a fogponics system under microgravity, such as environmental condition control, data cloud storage, LED light intensity and irradiation distance optimization for photosynthesis, modular and scalable fogponic crop growth systems, and wastewater recycling, this study was able to find potential system improvements that can be integrated into the system not only in astrobotany but also in Earth agriculture. One of these is the optimization of the system’s operating temperature and humidity in response to crop growth. The temperature tolerance of a certain crop can alter when cultivated under microgravity conditions. Hence, evolutionary computation algorithms for optimization, such as genetic algorithms (GA), evolutionary strategies (ES), and differential evolution (DE), are recommended for the future developments of fogponics for space farming.

Moreover, based on the methods and devices developed for fog generation and dispersion, the ultrasonic fogger is favored. It comes in low-maintenance, small sizes, which fit the proposed fogponics system. It can produce fine fog droplets with high adhesion, which improves the efficiency of atomization culture, and it operates at supersonic frequencies, creating microdroplets of water and nutrients that are easily absorbed by plant roots. However, when used for extended periods of time, the device is known to have fast thermal transfer into the nutrient–liquid solution because of the supersonic vibrations. The heat can dry and evaporate the fog, subsequently drying the roots. Hence, existing developed fogponics were using temperature monitoring and control systems [26], while some were performing intermittent cycling [27] in order to maintain the ideal temperature operating range of the fogponics system, which is from 20 °C to 29 °C for terrestrial ones [26]. However, these methods can still cause problems for ideal crop development because a decrease in humidity can occur due to the necessity of de-energizing the device for heat dissipation. Hence, a new space mission-compatible fogger device is recommended to be developed. Other than being low-maintenance and able to atomize efficiently, the device should be compact and have a space-efficient design, be compatible with nutrient solutions, have energy-efficient operation, and be vibration-free. This recommendation might take a long time to be realized; however, if invented, it will have a big positive impact on the performance of fogponics systems. On the other hand, cooling mechanisms can also be utilized as a remedy for the said problem. Currently, only one fogponics system development is able to integrate these into the system. The study [45] employed air conditioning systems to cool its fogponics system. However, these systems are typically complex and heavy, requiring multiple components. In a microgravity environment where weight and space are limited, the installation and operation of such systems may be impractical or prohibitive. Among the existing cooling methods, besides air conditioning, refrigeration, cooling fans, and liquid cooling systems, thermoelectric coolers (TECs) are considered application-compatible. They are compact and lightweight devices compared with traditional refrigeration systems, making them well-suited for space applications where weight and space constraints are significant factors. Furthermore, TECs’ solid-state operation eliminates the need for moving parts, reduces the risk of mechanical failures, and increases reliability in microgravity environments. However, they generate heat on one side of the device while cooling the other side, necessitating effective heat dissipation mechanisms to maintain stable operating temperatures. Hence, future studies aiming to introduce these modules to fogponics systems are advised to design the cooling system with heat dissipation or TEC module hot-side utilization.

Another potential fogponics system improvement that this study recommends developing is the integration of an electronic nose for fog chemical composition monitoring and control. An electronic nose, or e-nose, is a tool that uses a variety of gas sensors and pattern recognition algorithms to identify and distinguish between complicated odors [104]. The idea behind the electronic nose stems from the goal of employing technology to simulate human smell. By incorporating an electronic nose into fogponics systems, researchers and cultivators can continuously monitor the composition of the fog, including nutrient levels and potential contaminants. These real-time data can be used to optimize nutrient delivery, adjust pH levels, and detect any deviations that could affect plant health or system performance. Additionally, electronic nose technology can enable automated feedback mechanisms to maintain ideal fog composition, contributing to more precise and efficient crop cultivation in microgravity-conditioned environments. This integration represents a cutting-edge approach that enhances the sustainability and effectiveness of fogponics systems for future agricultural applications, both on Earth and in space. Also, the fusion of ML and AI algorithms has greatly enhanced e-noses’ capacity for data processing [105,106]. AI and ML’s capacity to identify complex patterns in sensor data enables precise plant health diagnosis [95]. The incorporation of AI-driven e-nose technology not only facilitates autonomous fog monitoring but also supports proactive control and decision-making, ultimately enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and productivity of soilless cultivation techniques, particularly in microgravity environments encountered in space habitats or controlled indoor settings on Earth.

The previously developed fogponics systems are only applicable to earth agriculture and were not intentionally developed to operate in a microgravity environment. Hence, this study also highlights the need to innovate and adapt fogponics system design for space applications. Specifically, there is a critical need to develop microgravity-adapted fogponics reservoirs capable of continuous liquid feeding to support plant growth in zero-gravity conditions. Furthermore, this study underscores the importance of establishing zero-gravity fogponics crop cultivation zones where plant roots can thrive in nutrient-rich fog environments. In microgravity environments, traditional cues for root orientation, such as gravity and soil structure, are absent, potentially leading to disoriented root growth. To address this, this study emphasizes the need for guiding mechanisms or structures within the fogponics system. These guiding elements can serve as anchors or supports for plant roots, providing a physical framework that directs their growth and prevents random orientation. These adaptations are essential to optimize crop cultivation and food production in space habitats, addressing the unique challenges posed by microgravity environments. By focusing on these innovations, the feasibility and sustainability of fogponics systems can be advanced for future space missions and extraterrestrial colonization efforts. Moreover, the recent developments can serve as a fundamental basis for this study. Upon searching the literature, no publications that allow a fogponics system to function in microgravity conditions were found. Also, no findings were searched for fog behavior characterization, which suggests that this study needs to perform the said characterization. Consequently, this study recommends the prioritization of exploring the behavior of fog physics under microgravity to deeply understand the composition, properties, formation, and dynamics of fog particles and droplets in the atmosphere. The insights that will be gained from this are essential to the effectiveness of fogponics crop cultivation under microgravity.

8. Conclusions

Based on the extensive literature review and strategic evaluation conducted in this study, several key conclusions and future directions emerge. The findings emphasize the impracticality of traditional soil-based methods in space due to weight, particle suspension, and microbial risks, underscoring the need to explore innovative alternatives like fogponics for sustainable crop cultivation. Among soilless irrigation methods, fogponics shows promise for space agriculture but requires technological advancements, including integration with AI-driven closed-loop systems to optimize resource utilization. Future research should focus on microgravity fog behavior analysis, development of an effective and optimized space mission compatible fogponics system, system improvements such as an electronic nose for an adaptive system fog chemical composition, and integration of existing enhanced capabilities in order to develop an adaptive fogponics system under microgravity environment. Critical improvements needed include developing compact, energy-efficient fogger devices and implementing effective cooling mechanisms like thermoelectric coolers to regulate operating temperatures. Integration of an electronic nose for fog chemical composition monitoring and control, enhanced by AI and ML algorithms, is recommended for real-time optimization of nutrient delivery. Furthermore, prioritizing research on fog behavior characterization in microgravity will be essential for optimizing fogponics systems and advancing sustainable agriculture beyond Earth. By elucidating the adaptability and effectiveness of fogponics for microgravity-conditioned crop cultivation, this study lays the groundwork for enhancing food security and self-sufficiency in isolated or resource-scarce environments, both on Earth and beyond.