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[Development of a prototype of space vegetable-cultivating facility for ground-based experiments]
Shuang-sheng Guo1, Xiang-yang Liu, Li-jun Han
1Institute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing, China. gss@tom.com
Summary
A ground-based experimental prototype of a space vegetable-cultivating facility (GEPSVF) was developed and tested. The GEPSVF successfully controlled environmental parameters and demonstrated stable operation, paving the way for future space agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Space agriculture
- Controlled environment agriculture
- Plant physiology in microgravity
Context:
- Limited fresh food availability on long-duration space missions.
- Need for sustainable life support systems in space exploration.
- Challenges in higher plant cultivation under space environmental conditions.
Purpose:
- To develop a ground-based experimental prototype of a space vegetable-cultivating facility (GEPSVF).
- To address key technical challenges for cultivating plants in space.
- To lay the foundation for future space-based vegetable production systems.
Summary:
- The GEPSVF prototype effectively controlled environmental parameters including temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas concentrations.
- Utilized electronic fluorescent lamps as the light source, achieving an average vegetable yield of 60 g/day.
- Demonstrated stable operation with performance indexes meeting design expectations, indicating adaptability to microgravity.
Impact:
- Provides a viable foundation for developing advanced space vegetable-growing facilities.
- Contributes to the advancement of bioregenerative life support systems for space missions.
- Enables future research into optimizing plant growth in extraterrestrial environments.