Current Problem
The current problem of growing plants in space begins with when the seed is planted and begins sprouting. The seeds begin sprouting their roots along with the force of gravity, and their stems in the opposite direction. The plants sense gravity much like a snow-globe does. There are microscopic molecules in a fluid, much like cytoplasm, in the bottom side of the seed. Once these molecules settle at the bottom, the seed sprouts it's roots in that direction. However, when the force of gravity is not present, these molecules will float in all directions, and the roots will follow. This causes the plant to grow very inefficiently.
NASA's current solution is a pillow-like structure to help guide the seed into sprouting. The seed must be glued to the inside of the gray area on the
NASA's current solution is a pillow-like structure to help guide the seed into sprouting. The seed must be glued to the inside of the gray area on the
top of the pillow. Next, they fill the bag with substrate, and add all fertilizers or other nutrients. The bag is sewed up after that, and sent up to the International Space Station. After the pillow has been used, the bag is brought back down to Earth, and refilled for a new supply mission. This current solution is not reusable and the soil needs to be refilled in another bag after each use, making this product very inefficient.
There are currently two sizes to this pillow which are being used by NASA. There is a smaller sized pillow which is capable of cultivating and holding the root structures of smaller plants, and a larger model to handle larger plants. Our mentor and co-developer of this solution, Dr. Gioia Massa, of NASA, told us that for each supply mission where a plant pillow is sent up, the cost for the smaller pillow is around $1,000 per bag. Each supply mission, around 18 pillows are brought up to the Space |
VEG-01 Plant Pillow 3D render, Courtesy of NASA
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Station. This current solution costs NASA around $18,000 per launch, while still being highly inefficient.
The benefit of the plant pillow is that it goes to prove that plants can be grown in space, however NASA's design does not provide a viable solution that is cost efficient. While our solution may be more expensive to bring to the Station, there is only one launch needed- to bring it to the ISS. Once plants are grown and harvested, there is no need to bring up more pillows with seeds. To replant, simply plant the seed in the soil, and turn on the machine! With our solution of a centrifugal force driven, artificial gravity plant cultivation system, we can grow plants in space more efficiently than NASA's current approach to this issue, while still remaining cost effective.
The benefit of the plant pillow is that it goes to prove that plants can be grown in space, however NASA's design does not provide a viable solution that is cost efficient. While our solution may be more expensive to bring to the Station, there is only one launch needed- to bring it to the ISS. Once plants are grown and harvested, there is no need to bring up more pillows with seeds. To replant, simply plant the seed in the soil, and turn on the machine! With our solution of a centrifugal force driven, artificial gravity plant cultivation system, we can grow plants in space more efficiently than NASA's current approach to this issue, while still remaining cost effective.
What exactly is the Plant Pillow?
The Plant Pillow was designed by NASA, and is a non-reusable bag which helps guide the seeds to sprout and grow in space. However, this design is highly inefficient and non-sustainable, as the seeds must be strategically placed with tweezers and a microscope, and the bags must be thrown away after use.