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A two and one half meter diameter centrifuge is a crucial component of the International Space Station (ISS) gravitational research program. It will supply the environment to support research into gravitational effects on plants and animals over the range of 0.01-2.0 g's while scientific control samples can be simultaneously maintained at microgravity levels. Because animals grow and move, unbalances will occur that, without isolation, may result in levels of vibration in the ISS which can affect other science being conducted in the space station. Here we present the results (to the present) of a study which has as its goal the determination of a control strategy which can keep these transmitted forces at or below the required level. We explain the strategy which was fashioned to approach the problem and present results that have been obtained.

In efforts to generate a modeling and simulation system for the environmental control and life support system for a small plant growth chamber, the requirement for a biosynthetic water vapor source was found. The water vapor source was designed to inject a known and controlled rate of water vapor into the laboratory version of NASA Ames Research Center's Salad Machine. The rationale for a water vapor source, the design of the source device, the procedures and results of calibration and the method of integrating and utilizing the device with the Salad Machine are described.

The fluid and thermal dynamics of the environment of plants in a small controlled-environment system have been modeled. The results of the simulation under two scenarios have been compared to measurements taken during tests on the actual system. The motivation for the modeling effort and the status of the modeling exercise and system scenario studies are described. An evaluation of the model and a discussion of future studies are included.