The Performance of a Miniature Plant Cultivation System Designed for Space Flight ApplicationConstraints in both launch opportunities and the availability of in-flight resources for Shuttle and Space Station life science habitat facilities has presented a compelling impetus to improve the operational flexibility, efficiency and miniaturization of many of these systems. Such advances would not only invigorate the level of research being conducted in low Earth orbit but also present the opportunity to expand life science studies to outer space and planetary bodies. Work has been directed towards the development of a miniature plant cultivation module (PCM) capable of supporting the automated and controlled growth and spectral monitoring of small plant species such as Arabidopsis thaliana. This paper will present data on the operational performance and efficiency of the cultivation module, and the extent to which such a system may be used to support plant growth studies in low Earth orbit and beyond.
Document ID
20050157854
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Heyenga, Gerard (BioServe Space Technologies Boulder, CO, United States)
Kliss, Mark (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Blackford, Cameron (Science and Technology Corp. United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 35th International Conference on Environmental Systems