Evolution of Space-Based Plant Growth Systems from Research to Life Support

Plant growth systems for space were first flown in the 1960s. Plant chambers flown from that time until the present were developed to conduct basic plant research in reduced gravity. The use of plants for providing life-support has been tested on the ground, but has never been used on-orbit. With the New Vision for Space Exploration, emphasis has now been placed on implementing the first small steps of a bioregenerative life-support system in the guise of “vegetable production units.” As the duration and size of space missions increase, these early precursors will evolve to larger units that will eventually become the primary source of life support in remote space bases.

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