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Paving the way for space gardensThe Ecological Life Support System, a plant growth experiment now in its third year of closed chamber production at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, is discussed. Possible spin-off applications of hydrophonics experiments are noted. It is projected that long-term goals will include the integration of this garden system into the process of waste recycling for fertilization, air refreshment, and potable water recovery in a closed environment. The Biomass Production Chamber, a two-story bubble-shape steel biosphere modified from a Mercury/Gemini program attitude chamber provides a usable volume of 7.3 m x 3.6 m in diameter containing growing racks, piping for nutrient solutions, specialized lighting and sensors that provide information to the computers controlling the chamber and its functions. Computer programs provide highly sensitive monitoring and regulation of the system. Crops successfully harvested to date include dwarf wheat, lettuce, and soybeans.
Document ID
19910028715
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Phillips, Patricia
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Spaceflight
Volume: 32
ISSN: 0038-6340
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Accession Number
91A13338
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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