Biology and crop production in Space environments: Challenges and opportunities.
Life Sci Space Res (Amst)
; 29: 30-37, 2021 May.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33888285
ABSTRACT
Long-term manned space-exploration missions and the permanence of human colonies on orbital stations or planetary habitats will require the regeneration of resources onboard or in-situ. Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSSs) are artificial environments where different compartments, involving both living organisms and physical-chemical processes, are integrated to achieve a safe, self-regulating, and chemically balanced Earth-like environment to support human life. Higher plants are key elements of such systems and Space greenhouses represent the producers' compartment. Growing plants in Space requires the knowledge of their growth responses not only to all environmental factors acting on Earth, but also to specific Space constraints such as altered gravity, ionizing radiations and confined volume. Moreover, cultivation techniques need to be adjusted considering such limitations. The type and intensity of environmental factors to be taken into account depend on the mission scenarios. Here, we summarize constraints and opportunities of cultivating higher plants in Space to regenerate resources and produce fresh food onboard. Both biological and agro-technological issues are considered briefly going through experiments both ground-based on Earth and in Space.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Vuelo Espacial
/
Ingravidez
/
Sistemas Ecológicos Cerrados
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Life Sci Space Res (Amst)
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia