Fwd: Greenhouse in orbit

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From: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Date: April 21, 2014 7:41:49 PM CDT
To: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Subject: FW: Greenhouse in orbit

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Orangery in orbit

19.04.2014 12:45

The idea to grow plants in space belongs to Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. Long before the beginning of manned flight, he said that green flora in the future will be the main source of food and maintain the composition of the atmosphere on the spacecraft. Experiments with plants today by the Institute of Biomedical Problems, and all the crews of the ISS. Horticulture for astronauts in orbit - also a source of good mood.

In almost every scientific program of the ISS crew has experimented with plants. Preparing for orbital sowing begins in the world at the Institute for Biomedical Problems.

Delivered into orbit seeds here in such installation. Each seed counted. Astronauts do not have to cook or water or soil or fertilizer, enough to put the seed in the hole of the root module, and then it takes control of the automation, it also raised and this wheat. Astronauts collected only harvest.

Recently grain from which these grains appeared to have come from outer space. Two years seeds were on the outer casing of the station were subjected to great extremes of temperature, radiation, ultraviolet radiation ...

"There is an unfavorable factor is temperature. Seeds are different resistance to temperature.Wheat withstand up to 80 degrees, "- says a leading researcher at the laboratory of biological life support systems IBMP Margarita Lewinsky.

However, biologists have established IBMP - wheat grown grains of space, is no different from the Earth.

The idea to grow plants in space - is not new. More Konstantin Tsiolkovsky stated that the green flora in the future will be the main source of food and maintain the composition of the atmosphere on the spacecraft. Therefore, once accustomed astronauts in orbit, immediately began experimenting with unearthly greenhouses.

"This is the first sample of vegetative plant. Here, the substrate is a special challenge, no control.This led to the fact that the astronauts forgot to water or glittered - plants die "- continues Lewinsky.

Modern conservatories - almost spaceships for plants. Everything is automated. Special sensors: humidity, temperature, light, control carbon dioxide, oxygen, ... Automation monitors all parameters.

"This is the first hothouse device that allows for a long time using automatic mode," - says a leading researcher at the laboratory of biological life support systems IBMP Igor Podolsky.

Growing "space" greens in particular soil, in a scientific way - the substrate, and special long-acting fertilizers allow you to collect more than one crop.

To provide a human-powered and oxygen in the interplanetary expeditions need from 20 to 40 "green" square meters. From the standpoint of modern technology, to create such a diet is possible, but there are also unresolved questions.

About healthy and wholesome food for the crews and nutritionists think. Wheat, peas, salad - a specially selected set of a balanced meal.

"Choose plants so that the person had carbohydrates, fats and proteins, so be sure to be some cereals, beans, salad," - said Lewinsky.

However, just to grow greens in cosmic terms - a little. Need to ensure that the plant does not die, and bring healthy fruit. Biologists with astronauts already raised four generations of space peas. Feared genetic mutations. Tests showed no abnormalities. Another surprise. It turned out for plants that grew millions of years on earth, gravity - not the most important for normal growth.

"The absence of gravity - it turned out that for them, this factor is irrelevant. Astronauts, when asked when they bloom, we can answer them to the day "- says Lewinsky.

In the archives of the Institute of Biomedical Problems have accumulated a lot of photo and video materials on which the astronauts working gardeners. As it turned out, to engage in planting for them - one of the favorite experiments. Six months of iron - the test is not easy, but here green shoot.However, try to crop scientists are not allowed - samples are valuable to science. However, Alexander Kaleri lucky. Taste salad space he still remembers.

"After the winter is also very desirable greenery, snow covered here, as well as the grass was eye pleasing. But there is certainly more acutely perceived, all the germs, leaves ... Eye rejoices. He was such a little tart "- recalls cosmonaut, Hero of the Russian Alexander Kaleri.

Circle of space biology Moscow Palace of creativity on the Sparrow Hills. Young researchers built their own space here greenhouse. Grow plants and controls were compared with their brought from space. Patronizing them specialists of the Institute of Biomedical Problems. And not only help, but sometimes, and listen. For example, young biologists suggested to grow cucumbers in orbit to power future crews. Month seeds flying in orbit using the "Bion". Today we proudly present results.

"Hybrids were selected - no bitterness in the fruit. Later "Bion M1" was launched, and the experimental and control did not differ. Probably does not affect the space cucumbers "- says the young biologist Alexander obverse.

Perhaps to Sasha's phrase about the impact of space on cucumbers, many would react with a smile.But this is. Long expedition and interplanetary travel is not far off. A study of young biologists can say work for the future.

Roskosmos TV studio

 

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