[Space experiments on the development of biological systems for the human life]

Over the past 22 years, the Institute of Biomedical Problems has stubbornly continued the investigations with higher plants aimed at the development of cultivation technologies suitable for the conditions of space flight. Analysis of the results of 24 plant experiments performed aboard orbital complex MIR and the ISS Russian segment evidenced the ability of higher plants to grow, develop and reproduce inside spacecraft living compartments. Space crops were normal as compared with the laboratory controls. Microbial contamination of the plants was within the normal limits; no pathogen has been detected on plant surfaces. Plants did not change genetically, at least in four space generations. It should be noted that the presence of greenhouse on board the ISS also has a marked positive effect on wellbeing of people living in the close environment and isolation from Earth's biosphere. In the context of the above, the higher plants might become a secure and beneficial part of the life support system for crews on space exploration missions.