Greenhouse Design Integration Benefits for Extended Spaceflight

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that plants can be grown in microgravity, and almost every space programme has included experimental greenhouses to investigate not only technical and biological feasibility, but also the habitability-related benefits of plant growth activities in space. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2010.07.008 Aside from nutritional and life support system applications, these benefits include sensory and spatial enhancement of the spacecraft environment, both through the plants as such and the design of their growth chambers, as well as by providing meaningful occupation through individual interaction. In view of long duration missions, plant growth facilities should not be regarded as a desirable add-on, but as an essential habitability component (or: component of the habitat) that may even substitute for a lack of outward-facing windows.

Following a review of existing greenhouse designs and plants grown on past missions, the paper outlines the benefits of greenhouses for extended missions, and, based on existing technology, presents concepts for their integration into the spacecraft interior.

It has been demonstrated that plants can be grown in microgravity, and almost every space programme has included experimental greenhouses to investigate not only technical and biological feasibility, but also the habitability-related benefits of plant growth activities in space. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2010.07.008 Aside from nutritional and life support system applications, these benefits include sensory and spatial enhancement of the spacecraft environment, both through the plants as such and the design of their growth chambers, as well as by providing meaningful occupation through individual interaction. In view of long duration missions, plant growth facilities should not be regarded as a desirable add-on, but as an essential habitability component (or: component of the habitat) that may even substitute for a lack of outward-facing windows.

Following a review of existing greenhouse designs and plants grown on past missions, the paper outlines the benefits of greenhouses for extended missions, and, based on existing technology, presents concepts for their integration into the spacecraft interior.