www.fgks.org   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Concept for Sustained Plant Production on ISS Using VEGGIE Capillary Mat Rooting SystemPlant growth in microgravity presents unique challenges associated with maintaining appropriate conditions for seed germination, seedling establishment, maturation and harvest. They include maintaining appropriate soil moisture content, nutrient balance, atmospheric mixing and containment. Sustained production imposes additional challenges of harvesting, replanting, and safety. The VEGGIE is a deployable (collapsible) plant growth chamber developed as part of a NASA SBIR Phase II by Orbitec, Madison, WI. The intent of VEGGIE is to provide a low-resource system to produce fresh vegetables for the crew on long duration missions. The VEGGIE uses and LED array for lighting, an expandable bellows for containment, and a capillary matting system for nutrient and water delivery. The project evaluated a number of approaches to achieve sustained production, and repeated plantings, using the capillary rooting system. A number of different root media, seed containment, and nutrient delivery systems were evaluated and effects on seed germination and growth were evaluated. A number of issues limiting sustained production, such as accumulation of nutrients, uniform water, elevated vapor pressure deficit, and media containment were identified. A concept using pre-planted rooting packs shown to effectively address a number of those issues and is a promising approach for future development as a planting system for microgravity conditions.
Document ID
20110011606
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Stutte, Gary W. (QinetiQ Ltd. Kennedy Space Center, FL, United States)
Newsham, Gerard (QinetiQ Ltd. Kennedy Space Center, FL, United States)
Morrow, Robert M. (Orbital Technologies Corp. Madison, WI, United States)
Wheeler, Raymond M. (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2011
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Report/Patent Number
KSC-2011-092R
KSC-2011-092
Meeting Information
Meeting: 41st International Conferenceon Environmental Systems
Location: Portland, OR
Country: United States
Start Date: July 17, 2011
End Date: July 21, 2011
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNK11EA08C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

There are no records associated with this record.
No Preview Available