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P-MASS and P-GBA: Two new hardware developments for growing plants in spacePlant growth, and especially plant performance experiments in microgravity are limited by the currently available plant growth facilities (low light levels, inadequate nutrient delivery and atmosphere conditioning systems, insufficient science instrumentation, infrequent flight opportunities). In addition, mission durations of 10 to 14 days aboard the NSTS Space Shuttle allow for only brief periods of microgravity exposure with respect to the life cycle of a plant. Based on seed germination experiments, using the Generic BioProcessing Apparatus hardware (GBA), two new payloads have been designed specifically for plant growth. These payloads provide new opportunities for plant gravitational and space biology research and emphasize the investigation of plant performance (photosynthesis, biomass accumulations) in microgravity. The Plant-Module for Autonomous Space Support (P-MASS) was designed to utilize microgravity exposure times in excess of 30 days on the first flight of the recoverable COMET satellite (Commercial Experiment Transporter). The Plant-Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (P-GBA), is designed for the National Space Transportation System (NSTS) Space Shuttle middeck and the SPACEHAB environment. The P-GBA is an evolution from the GBA hardware and P-MASS (plant chamber and instrumentation). The available light levels of both payloads more than double currently available capabilities.
Document ID
19950057494
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hoehn, Alexander
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Luttges, Marvin W.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Robinson, Michael C.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Stodieck, Louis S.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Kliss, Mark H.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Publication Information
ISSN: 0148-7191
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
SAE PAPER 941545
Meeting Information
Meeting: SAE, International Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: Friedrichshafen
Country: Germany
Start Date: June 20, 1994
End Date: June 23, 1994
Accession Number
95A89093
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1197
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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