"PhytoCube" program of biological research in space
- Paper ID
99730
- DOI
- author
- company
Bauman Moscow State Technical University; Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics (Russian Academy of Sciences)
- country
Russian Federation
- year
2025
- abstract
The development plans of the Earth civilization in the next 10-15 years include the return of man to the Moon and landing on Mars. The construction of research bases and long-term space flights will follow. One of the important factors for the success of such missions will be the ability to independently produce food. The main factors that are very different from those on Earth in space are the change in gravitational effects, a background radiation that differs from that on Earth and a different spectrum of solar radiation. A team of authors has developed and is implementing a program of biological research in space called "PhytoCube". The program is aimed at the development of 16U-format universal satellite bioplatform for growing higher plants (full cycle: from seed to fruiting) on board a spacecraft during an orbital flight around the Earth or the Moon. The satellite bioplatform consists of two autonomous modules, each of which has its own growth chamber for growing two plants, water supply and irrigation system with a soil moisture sensor, nutrient substrate, phytolamp, climate control system inside the growth chamber (atmospheric pressure, temperature, water vapor saturation, CO2 content), orientation and stabilization system, a radio channel for controlling purposes and data transmission. The experiment is monitored using a digital camera, which takes photographs of the growth zone at specified intervals and transmits data to Earth via a radio link. Depending on the goals and objectives of the biological experiments being conducted, the modules of the "PhytoCube" universal satellite bioplatform can perform the mission as part of a single 16U vehicle with the ability to change the configuration or separate from each other and fly independently. To date, as part of the implementation of the "PhytoCube" program of biological research in space, a plant has been selected, a sealed growth chamber with the necessary systems for maintaining environmental conditions for plant growth has been developed and manufactured. Technological samples of the growth chamber have been used to test technologies and modes for growing pepper in a nutrient substrate based on ion-exchange fertilizers in a closed system of limited volume. Two control cultivations have been carried out with the production of fruits. A technology has been developed for treating pepper seeds with nanometals to protect seeds from radiation exposure and increase germination. The structure of "PhytoCube" module has been developed – it meets the requirements for transformation and separation.