Crew time in a space greenhouse using data from analog missions and Veggie

Area of Science:

• Space Biology
• Human Spaceflight Operations

Background:

• Crew time is a critical resource for human space exploration, comparable to mass, energy, and volume.
• Data on crew time dedicated to plant cultivation in space and analog missions has been inconsistently recorded.
• Standardized methods for capturing crew time in space-based plant growth systems are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a methodology for efficient categorization and reporting of crew time in space plant growth systems.
• To harmonize crew time data collection across different analog and space environments.
• To establish a baseline database for crew time requirements in current and future plant growth systems.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of crew time data from analog facilities and the Veggie hardware on the International Space Station (ISS).
• Development of a categorization framework for crew time activities related to plant cultivation.
• Compilation of a database of crew time requirements for various plant growth hardware and facilities.

Main Results:

• A proposed methodology for categorizing and reporting crew time in space plant growth systems.
• A database detailing crew time requirements for plant cultivation across different hardware and facilities on Earth and the ISS.
• Identification of factors influencing future crew time needs, including plant species, watering systems, automation, and virtual assistants.

Conclusions:

• Standardized crew time data is crucial for mission planning and designing future space greenhouses.
• Crew time requirements for plant cultivation will evolve with technological advancements and mission design choices.
• Accounting for crew time is a decisive factor in the successful implementation of advanced plant cultivation systems in space exploration.