Search Results

The Plant Generic BioProcessing Apparatus (PGBA), a plant growth facility developed for commercial space biotechnology research, has flown successfully on 3 spaceflight missions for 4, 10 and 16 days. The environmental control systems of this plant growth chamber (28 liter/0.075 m2) provide atmospheric, thermal, and humidity control, as well as lighting and nutrient supply. Typical performance profiles of water transpiration and dehumidification, carbon dioxide absorption (photosynthesis) and respiration rates in the PGBA unit (on orbit and ground) are presented. Data were collected on single and mixed crops. Design options and considerations for the different sub-systems are compared with those of similar hardware.

PGBA, a plant growth facility developed for commercial space biotechnology research, successfully grew a total of 50 plants (6 species) during 10 days aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-77), and has reflown aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-83 for 4 days and STS-94 for 16 days) with 55 plants and 10 species. The PGBA life support system provides atmospheric, thermal, and humidity control as well as lighting and nutrient supply in a 33 liter microgravity plant growth chamber. The atmosphere treatment system removes ethylene and other hydrocarbons, actively controls CO2 replenishment, and provides passive O2 control. Temperature and humidity are actively controlled.

P-MASS, the Plant-Module for Autonomous Space Support, is designed to support and provide life support for a variety of plants, algae and bacteria in low earth orbit during the maiden flight of COMET-1. The first launch is scheduled for early 1993. With a nominal mission duration of 30 days in microgravity, P-MASS will bridge the gap between the shorter duration experiments possible onboard the NSTS Space Shuttle (approximately 14 days) and the future Space Station Freedom for space biology applications. Environmental data and video images are collected, stored onboard and downlinked daily. In addition, the payload and all specimens will be returned for ground analysis with the recovery system (reentry capsule). P-MASS is designed within a payload envelope of 0.28 x 0.22 x 0.32 m (19.71) and a mass of approximately 20 kg. A total of 115 Watt electric power is available continuously for the Plant-Module (60 W lighting, 40 Watt cooling, 15 W housekeeping).