Experiments with Pressurized Root Zone to Assure Reliable Nutrients Delivery System Development and Isolation from Contaminants 2001-01-2134

The Bioregenerative part of the Advanced Life Support System provides Food Production (FP). Many developments have been made which will support FP in planetary installations. However, a Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) that will support FP in transit (on ISS or trip to Mars) still needs to be developed. Present technology does not offer reliable functions of FP, AR and WP in such conditions; obviously, growing plants in transit vehicle is difficult due to constraints much more sever than those for planetary installations. Isolation of foliage chamber from the root chamber will assure the function of nutrient delivery while performing Air Revitalization (AR) and Water Purification (WP). Efficient use of BLSS for these purposes will considerably reduce the dependency on the Physicochemical System contributing greatly towards weight and mass reduction. In this paper unique approaches to manipulate the plants growth through this system development and the benefits from root and foliage chamber isolation with pressure varying capability may achieve. This will definitely contribute to make the BLSS more reliable and even programmable to adjust to the need of the fluctuating demand on the life support system.