NDVI imaging within space exploration plant growth modules - A case study from EDEN ISS Antarctica

The concept of using informative wavelength imagery to monitor plant health and ecosystem stability from space is derived from the deployment of Landsat and the development of the Normalized Difference Vegetative Index, or NDVI. NDVI presents the relative reflectance of the Near IR from plant leaves as a measure of relative plant health in terrestrial habitats and landscapes. However, the use of NDVI and NDVI-like imagery is rapidly evolving toward higher spatial resolution and more localized assessments of plant health, such as the use of drone imagery to monitor outdoor farms, and the use of mounted cameras within indoor growing facilities. With the advancement of plant growth systems in support of human space exploration, especially to the moon and Mars, remote assessment of plant health within exploration habitats becomes a critical element for development. This project examines the deployment of NDVI-like capabilities within a planetary analog greenhouse on the Antarctic ice shelf. The EDEN ISS Antarctica project provides a case study on the practical use of specific wavelength imagery to monitor plant health within space exploration environments. GoPro cameras, modified to dual bandpass capabilities, provided Single Image NDVI analyses for a year within the EDEN ISS Future Exploration Greenhouse at the Neumayer Station III in Antarctica. Images were acquired on site, analyzed remotely, and archived for the entire duration of the deployment through a combination of back-room science activities and operational communications with the Neumayer Station III. The results provide insights into the potential use of specific imaging wavelengths to enhance crop production in space exploration.