Technological Interface for Lunar Dehulling Applications (TILDA): Conceptual Architecture for Automated Post-Processing of Cereal Grains in a Lunar Habitat

Missions beyond Low Earth Orbit, including lunar settlements, pose significant challenges to the sustainability and autonomy of crewed operations. To enable long-term human presence beyond Earth, future missions must reduce their dependency on terrestrial supply chains by developing autonomous food production and processing systems, including the ability to grow and treat staple crops such as cereals. While hydroponic cultivation of grains in extraterrestrial environments is advancing, the transformation of harvested grains into edible and storable forms remains a technological challenge. This study presents the conceptual design and preliminary assessment of an automated system for cereal processing, tailored for operation within a pressurized lunar habitat. The proposed solution addresses key processing steps; drying, dehulling, grinding, and packaging; within a compact, energy-efficient unit compliable to regulatory standards. The design is optimized for a controlled, indoor environment characterized by partial gravity (1/6g), constrained volumes, and limited crew availability. The mechanical and control architecture incorporates electromechanical actuators, dust mitigation strategies, and sealed submodules to ensure safe and continuous operation. A comparative analysis of processing mechanisms, including friction and impact-based grinders and mechanical grain transport systems, is performed to identify optimal trade-offs in terms of power consumption, reliability, and system mass. This work contributes to the development of autonomous food processing solutions for space based world habitats, supporting the transition towards a decentralized lunar food system.