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Evaluating Microgreens Crop Readiness for Space ProductionMicrogreens are small-size, nutrient-rich, and fast-grown crops, which are considered as candidates for future space exploration missions. In particular, the ISS, the Lunar Gateway, and Mars and Lunar missions could benefit from growing microgreens to supplement astronaut diets in the near future. Research at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center has focused on (1) the selection of microgreens compatible species, (2) the evaluation of microgreens food safety, (3) the use of passive wicking, on-demand watering, and hydroponics cultivation, (4) simulated microgravity growth, (5) microgreen canopy gas exchange, and (6) harvesting techniques in microgravity. This interactive presentation summarizes this research.
Microgreen species will be evaluated for their yield in relationship to the quantity of inputs – water, seeds, substrate, light intensity, photoperiod, crew time – required for their growth; for their organoleptic and sensory factors in order to down select species that are highly acceptable for humans; and for their microbial loads as detected in their growth environment and the food safety metrics of their edible tissue.
Passive wicking, on-demand watering, and hydroponic systems are being studied as an efficient way to deliver essential nutrients and water to microgreens, included in a microgravity environment. Growth studies in simulated microgravity (using 3-dimensional clinostats) will assess microgreens growth relative to that in 1g. Gas exchange studies on microgreens canopies in various airflows will assess their photosynthesis and transpiration.
Finally, a series of parabolic flights has enabled the evaluation of different harvesting and bagging techniques in microgravity. Indeed, traditional plant harvesting methods (scissors) in microgravity could generate significant microgreen debris in the space station cabin. Two innovative techniques, coupled to a dedicated bagging method, were designed and evaluated against the control, traditional, harvesting technique.
This research was supported by grants from NASA KSC’s Independent Research and Technology Development Program, NASA’s Flight Opportunity Program, NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships (L.P. & C.J.) supported by NASA’s Space Biology program, and support from NASA’s Human Research Program.
Document ID
20220002732
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Poster
Authors
Christina Marie Johnson
(Universities Space Research Association Columbia, Maryland, United States)
Lucie Poulet
(Universities Space Research Association Columbia, Maryland, United States)
Lashelle E Mccoy
(Aecom (United States) Los Angeles, California, United States)
Matthew W Romeyn
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Lawrence L Koss
(Aecom (United States) Los Angeles, California, United States)
Jacob J Torres
(Aecom (United States) Los Angeles, California, United States)
Jennifer Lee Gooden
(Aecom (United States) Los Angeles, California, United States)
Mary Peterson Hummerick
(Aecom (United States) Los Angeles, California, United States)
Haley Olivia Boles
(University of Florida Gainesville, Florida, United States)
Oscar Alberto Monje Mejia
(Aecom (United States) Los Angeles, California, United States)
Gioia Donna Massa
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Raymond M Wheeler
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Date Acquired
February 17, 2022
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 73rd International Astronautical Congress
Location: Paris
Country: FR
Start Date: September 18, 2022
End Date: September 22, 2022
Sponsors: International Astronautical Federation (IAF)
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 516724.01.05.10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.
Technical Review
NASA Technical Management
Keywords
Space Crop Production

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