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For long-duration space missions, a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) is the most economical means of producing the food required by the crew. From a systems design perspective, it would be advantageous to be able to grow all the plants hydroponically, in one large system sharing the same nutrient solution (polyculture). However, very little research has been performed to determine how crop plants interact with one another when grown together hydroponically, although evidence for soil-based interaction between plants does exist. In this study, lettuce and tomato plants were grown in a shared, recirculating nutrient solution to examine the effects of mutual interaction. Only nutrient solution effects were investigated, no atmospheric interactions were examined. Growth of the first crop of lettuce was unaffected or even slightly enhanced by growing it in polyculture with tomato plants.

One of the key enabling technologies for the human exploration of space is regenerative life support. Full regeneration must include the production of food, usually planned to be by plants in a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). With regard to power, one of the most efficient ways to incorporate food production by higher plants into a CELSS life support system design is to use natural sunlight. For a lunar base, this would involve developing a plant growth unit with greenhouse-like capabilities, one which could exist on or just beneath the lunar surface where it would be exposed to a number of natural hazards. Some of these hazards could potentially affect the crew as well as the other living components of the life support system. As a result, the plant growth unit design must incorporate appropriate protective measures.

This paper describes the design of a breadboard plant growth chamber for use in conducting long-term experimental studies of plants under space flight conditions. Several key design features are discussed, and problems that remain to be dealt with are described.