Biomass Production System

The BPS is a Middeck locker-sized plant growth unit fully tested and successfully flown on both the Space Shuttle and the ISS. Initial results from its first flight experiments show near duplicate metabolic growth condition in space and on the ground. It provides four plant growth chambers independently controlled for temperature, humidity, light level, and CO₂ level. The plant chambers are removable for on-orbit access to plants for sampling and manipulation such as pollination. Other lighting, nutrient delivery and chamber configurations are possible.
 

Temperature. 18ºC to 35ºC

Relative humidity. 65% to 95%

Light level. 50-350 micromole/m²/sec

CO₂ enrichment. monitored to 10,000 ppm

Water supply/collection. two 700 mL reservoirs

Chamber size*. 6.5" (L) x 5.8" (W) x 7.4" (H)

• Fully equipped data acquisition and control with Ethernet network compatibility
   

• Video imaging and digital storage
   

• Replenishable CO₂ supply & H₂O recovery loop
   

• Ethylene removal
   

 *other chamber configurations possible (tall, wide, large)

 

• Metabolic experiments including photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration
   

• Biotechnology plant investigations
   

• Technology testbed for any subsystem
   

• BPS NASA flight (BPS unit was flown successfully for 73 days on the ISS)