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The Spacelab-Mir-1 "Greenhouse-2" experiment
G E Bingham1, F B Salisbury, W F Campbell
1Utah State University, Logan, 84322, USA.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
The Greenhouse-2 experiment tested the Svet plant growth unit on the Spacelab-Mir-1 mission, successfully growing Superdwarf wheat and validating new instrumentation for orbital plant research.
Area of Science:
- Space biology
- Plant science
- Microgravity research
Background:
- The Spacelab-Mir-1 (SLM-1) mission marked the first Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-71) docking with the Orbital Station Mir in June 1995.
- The mission included the Greenhouse-2 experiment utilizing the Russian-Bulgarian Svet plant growth unit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the Svet unit's capability to grow Superdwarf wheat from seed to seed in microgravity.
- To provide green plant material for post-flight analysis.
- To conduct the first orbital test of the new Svet Instrumentation System (SIS).
Main Methods:
- Two plantings of Superdwarf wheat were conducted within the Svet unit.
- The Svet Instrumentation System (SIS) provided real-time data on plant environmental parameters and gas exchange.
- Plant samples were collected six times for ground analysis, with leaf area measured and plant parts fixed or dried.
Main Results:
- The experiment demonstrated the Svet unit's ability to support a complete wheat growth cycle in space.
- The SIS successfully supplemented the Svet system with additional sensors, monitoring key environmental and physiological parameters.
- Data on canopy transpiration and net assimilation were collected using ventilated leaf chambers.
Conclusions:
- The Greenhouse-2 experiment validated the Svet plant growth unit for microgravity cultivation.
- The SIS proved effective for real-time monitoring of plant growth in space.
- The study provided valuable insights into plant physiology under orbital conditions.