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Plant Growth Optimization by Vegetable Production System in HI-SEAS Analog HabitatThe Vegetable Production System (Veggie) is a scientific payload designed to support plant growth for food production under microgravity conditions. The configuration of Veggie consists of an LED lighting system with modular rooting pillows designed to contain substrate media and time-release fertilizer. The pillows were designed to be watered passively using capillary principles but have typically been watered manually by the astronauts in low-Earth orbit (LEO). The design of Veggie allows cabin air to be drawn through the plant enclosure for thermal and humidity control and for supplying CO2 to the plants. Since its delivery to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014, Veggie has undergone several experimental trials by various crews. Ground unit testing of Veggie was conducted during an 8-month Mars analog study in a semi-contained environment of a simulated habitat located at approximately 8,200 feet (2,500 m) elevation on the Mauna Loa volcano on the Island of Hawaii. The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) offered conditions (habitat, mission, communications, etc.) intended to simulate a planetary exploration mission. This paper provides data and analyses to show the prospect for optimized use of the current Veggie design for human habitats. Lessons learned during the study may provide opportunities for updating the system design and operational parameters for current Veggie experiments being conducted onboard the ISS and for payloads on future deep space missions.
Document ID
20170007809
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ehrlich, Joshua W.
(Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. Denver, CO, United States)
Massa, Gioia D.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Wheeler, Raymond M.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Gill, Tracy R.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Quincy, Charles D.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Roberson, Luke B.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Binsted, Kim
(Hawaii Univ. at Manoa Honolulu, HI, United States)
Morrow, Robert C.
(Orbital Technologies Corp. Madison, WI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2017
Publication Date
September 12, 2017
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Report/Patent Number
KSC-E-DAA-TN45420
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA SPACE Forum 2017
Location: Orlando, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: September 12, 2017
End Date: September 14, 2017
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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