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Providing controlled environments for plant growth in space
1Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706, USA.
Acta Horticulturae
|December 1, 1996
Summary
The ASTROCULTURE growth unit provides controlled environments for plants in space, meeting strict vehicle constraints. These space-proven technologies can also improve Earth-based plant growth chambers.
Area of Science:
- Space biology
- Controlled environment agriculture
- Aerospace engineering
Background:
- Space missions require specialized equipment for plant cultivation.
- Existing space vehicles (US Space Shuttle, MIR) have limitations in power, mass, and volume.
- Hardware must adhere to stringent safety standards for crewed missions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate technologies for a space-based plant growth facility.
- To ensure environmental control within operational constraints of space vehicles.
- To adapt technologies for potential terrestrial applications.
Main Methods:
- Designed the ASTROCULTURE (TM) unit with subsystems for temperature, humidity, and CO2 control.
- Utilized light emitting diodes (LEDs) for adjustable red and blue light spectra.
- Implemented ethylene removal, and a porous tube/rooting matrix for water and nutrient delivery.
- Validated environmental control in microgravity during five Space Shuttle missions.
Main Results:
- The ASTROCULTURE (TM) unit successfully controlled key environmental parameters for plant growth in space.
- The system was designed to fit within standard space vehicle payload lockers.
- Environmental control capabilities were validated in microgravity, including two missions with plants.
Conclusions:
- The ASTROCULTURE (TM) unit demonstrates effective plant growth environmental control in space.
- Developed technologies are adaptable for enhancing terrestrial controlled environment agriculture.
- Space-based plant growth systems require integrated subsystems meeting unique operational demands.