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Gardening could help long space missions
UPI) ^
| Nov. 27, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Posted on 11/27/2012 2:50:58 PM PST by BenLurkin
Using plants to provide a food source and to recycle carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen may prove critical for astronauts who will live in space for months at a time, the space agency said in a release Tuesday.
Several plant-growing experiments have been conducted to help scientists understand the impact of zero gravity conditions on plant growth, NASA said.
Plants can provide a sense of well-being, scientists said, noting that at the McMurdo Station for research in Antarctica -- a site that in the dead of winter mirrors the space station in its isolation, cramped quarters, and hostile environment -- the most sought after section of the habitat is the greenhouse.
Both NASA and the European Space Agency have conducted plant research on the ISS, with several future experiments planned.
One aim of the experiments, scientists said, is to identify specific plants that are better able to withstand long duration spaceflight and microgravity conditions.
(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS:
1
posted on
11/27/2012 2:51:02 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
The key to deep space exploration is developing Spacecraft which are 100% self-sustainf. Each ship will have to be its own independent eco-system.
Once that is accoomplished, the stars will be the limit.
2
posted on
11/27/2012 2:52:55 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
To: BenLurkin
Didn't work out to well for these guys!
3
posted on
11/27/2012 2:54:42 PM PST
by
Fledermaus
(The Republic is Dead: Collapse the system. Let the Dems destroy the economy!)
To: BenLurkin
Why do all that? Just give them an EBT card like everybody else.
4
posted on
11/27/2012 2:57:36 PM PST
by
Gaffer
To: BenLurkin
Can plants grow in zero-gravity environments?
5
posted on
11/27/2012 2:59:56 PM PST
by
txnativegop
(Fed up with zealots)
To: Fledermaus
That just came to my mind as well. What was the name of that movie? It’s been years!
6
posted on
11/27/2012 3:07:10 PM PST
by
RushIsMyTeddyBear
(Great vid by ShorelineMike! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOZjJk6nbD4&feature=plcp)
To: RushIsMyTeddyBear
7
posted on
11/27/2012 3:14:13 PM PST
by
Fledermaus
(The Republic is Dead: Collapse the system. Let the Dems destroy the economy!)
To: BenLurkin
Parsnips are the currency of the universe. You get out past Antares 5, and you can trade parsnips for anything you need.
8
posted on
11/27/2012 3:18:08 PM PST
by
blueunicorn6
("A crack shot and a good dancer")
Comment #9 Removed by Moderator
To: Fledermaus
I was going to post the very same pic!
10
posted on
11/27/2012 3:38:55 PM PST
by
NonValueAdded
(Happy 10th FR birthday to meeeeeeeeee)
To: Fledermaus
11
posted on
11/27/2012 3:58:37 PM PST
by
RushIsMyTeddyBear
(Great vid by ShorelineMike! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOZjJk6nbD4&feature=plcp)
FReepathon Day 58.
12
posted on
11/27/2012 3:59:37 PM PST
by
RedMDer
(Please support Toys for Tots this CHRISTmas season.)
To: txnativegop
The answer appears to be yes.
13
posted on
11/27/2012 4:42:17 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
To: BenLurkin
14
posted on
11/27/2012 5:36:10 PM PST
by
txnativegop
(Fed up with zealots)
To: BenLurkin
As long as there are no damn deer around.
15
posted on
11/27/2012 5:39:53 PM PST
by
gotribe
To: BenLurkin
Nothing new here. Gardening on long-duration space flights was a well- established element in science-fiction stories by the 1940s. It theoretically solves 3 basic problems: production of food and oxygen and disposal of carbon dioxide produced by the crew. I'm not sure how well those ideas have worked out in practice since this article about gardening aboard the ISS mentions it only as a diversion from boredom:
GARDENING IN ORBIT
To: BenLurkin
Gardening could help long space missionsSo could ranching, you just need larger space vehicles.
17
posted on
11/27/2012 5:51:22 PM PST
by
Cvengr
(Adversity in life and death is inevitable. Thru faith in Christ, stress is optional.)
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