Development of the Micro Gravity Plant Growth Pocket

M. G. Lefsrud; G. A. Giacomelli; H. W. Janes; M. H. Kliss

Development of the Micro Gravity Plant Growth Pocket

M. G. Lefsrud, G. A. Giacomelli, H. W. Janes, M. H. Kliss

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

Abstract

The micro gravity pocket (MGP) was designed to be used for continuous cropping of root crops in microgravity within a controlled environment. NASA plans for a 'Salad Machine' to grow carrot and radish in microgravity for consumption by the astronauts. The pocket system was designed to be light weight, easy to plant, monitor and harvest, with no free water and low energy requirements. The MGP system was developed using porous sheets of plastic to wick water to the plant roots. The design was tested with radish, growing horizontally facing a metal halide lamp. The hydrophilic property of the porous sheet made water available to the roots, but the small size of the pores prevented root growth into the sheet. The MGP was not significantly different in yield compared to the porous tube.

Original language	English (US)
Pages	4461-4473
Number of pages	13
State	Published - 2000
Externally published	Yes
Event	2000 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Technical Papers: Engineering Solutions for a New Century - Milwaukee, WI., United States Duration: Jul 9 2000 → Jul 12 2000

Other

Other	2000 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Technical Papers: Engineering Solutions for a New Century
Country/Territory	United States
City	Milwaukee, WI.
Period	7/9/00 → 7/12/00

Keywords

Advanced Life Support
Nutrient delivery system
Root crop production
Salad machine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Engineering

Cite this

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title = "Development of the Micro Gravity Plant Growth Pocket",

abstract = "The micro gravity pocket (MGP) was designed to be used for continuous cropping of root crops in microgravity within a controlled environment. NASA plans for a 'Salad Machine' to grow carrot and radish in microgravity for consumption by the astronauts. The pocket system was designed to be light weight, easy to plant, monitor and harvest, with no free water and low energy requirements. The MGP system was developed using porous sheets of plastic to wick water to the plant roots. The design was tested with radish, growing horizontally facing a metal halide lamp. The hydrophilic property of the porous sheet made water available to the roots, but the small size of the pores prevented root growth into the sheet. The MGP was not significantly different in yield compared to the porous tube.",

keywords = "Advanced Life Support, Nutrient delivery system, Root crop production, Salad machine",

author = "Lefsrud, {M. G.} and Giacomelli, {G. A.} and Janes, {H. W.} and Kliss, {M. H.}",

year = "2000",

language = "English (US)",

pages = "4461--4473",

note = "2000 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Technical Papers: Engineering Solutions for a New Century ; Conference date: 09-07-2000 Through 12-07-2000",

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T1 - Development of the Micro Gravity Plant Growth Pocket

AU - Lefsrud, M. G.

AU - Giacomelli, G. A.

AU - Janes, H. W.

AU - Kliss, M. H.

PY - 2000

Y1 - 2000

N2 - The micro gravity pocket (MGP) was designed to be used for continuous cropping of root crops in microgravity within a controlled environment. NASA plans for a 'Salad Machine' to grow carrot and radish in microgravity for consumption by the astronauts. The pocket system was designed to be light weight, easy to plant, monitor and harvest, with no free water and low energy requirements. The MGP system was developed using porous sheets of plastic to wick water to the plant roots. The design was tested with radish, growing horizontally facing a metal halide lamp. The hydrophilic property of the porous sheet made water available to the roots, but the small size of the pores prevented root growth into the sheet. The MGP was not significantly different in yield compared to the porous tube.

AB - The micro gravity pocket (MGP) was designed to be used for continuous cropping of root crops in microgravity within a controlled environment. NASA plans for a 'Salad Machine' to grow carrot and radish in microgravity for consumption by the astronauts. The pocket system was designed to be light weight, easy to plant, monitor and harvest, with no free water and low energy requirements. The MGP system was developed using porous sheets of plastic to wick water to the plant roots. The design was tested with radish, growing horizontally facing a metal halide lamp. The hydrophilic property of the porous sheet made water available to the roots, but the small size of the pores prevented root growth into the sheet. The MGP was not significantly different in yield compared to the porous tube.

KW - Advanced Life Support

KW - Nutrient delivery system

KW - Root crop production

KW - Salad machine

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T2 - 2000 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Technical Papers: Engineering Solutions for a New Century

Y2 - 9 July 2000 through 12 July 2000

ER -

Development of the Micro Gravity Plant Growth Pocket

Abstract

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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