Achieving and documenting closure in plant growth facilities

Area of Science:

• Space exploration
• Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS)
• Bioregenerative life support

Background:

• Long-duration space missions require advanced life support systems.
• Facility and system closure are critical challenges for Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS).
• Plant growth modules are essential components of CELSS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the concept of closure in CELSS.
• To describe the engineering, construction, and monitoring of a closed plant growth facility.
• To present data on atmospheric closure and gas exchange within the Biomass Production Chamber (BPC).

Main Methods:

• Development and operation of the Biomass Production Chamber (BPC) at Kennedy Space Center.
• Atmospheric sealing of the BPC to achieve a leak rate of approximately 5% per 24 hours.
• Monitoring of CO2 and trace gas levels with and without plant presence.

Main Results:

• The Biomass Production Chamber (BPC) was successfully constructed and atmospherically sealed.
• Initial tests provided CO2 and trace gas data, indicating the chamber's closure performance.
• The facility demonstrated requirements for atmospheric closure essential for CELSS.

Conclusions:

• The Biomass Production Chamber (BPC) serves as a key prototype for CELSS plant growth modules.
• Research in such closed facilities is vital for advancing CELSS technology for future space missions.
• Successful atmospheric closure is a foundational element for developing reliable life support systems.