February 27, 2001 - Chat Archive

BIO-Plex

[ RussFortson - 22 - 08:57:44 ]
Hello! Is anyone out there in cyberspace?

[ Greg - 23 - 09:00:55 ]
Has any test been conducted using a free floating seed in the center of a dirtball with a moisture content of 40 to 50% that maintains a fixed spin rate?

[ Kathryn/TheTimesLeader - 25 - 09:00:55 ]
Hi Russ, I'm with a newspaper near Wheeling Jesuit/ Classroom of the Future. Here to learn about your project.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 26 - 09:00:55 ]
Everyone, please remember to hit Refresh Screen frequently.

[ Keith - 27 - 09:01:36 ]
RE: [ChatModerator] Today's *Farming in Space* chat features Johnson Space Center's BIO-Plex. BIO-Plex stands for Bioregenerative Planetary Life Support Systems Test Complex. Our two BIO-Plex experts are Keith Henderson and Russ Fortson. The chat begins at 9 am Pacific Time, Noon Eastern Time.
This is Keith Henderson. I believe Russ Fortson and I are ready for todays chat

[ ChatModerator - 28 - 09:01:56 ]
Welcome to the chat, Russ! Could you please briefly give a little about your jobs related to BIO-Plex?

[ RussFortson - 29 - 09:02:22 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Welcome to the chat, Russ! Could you please briefly give a little about your jobs related to BIO-Ples?
Meri, I'm Lockheed Martin's project manager for BIO-Plex. I am specifically responsible for integrating all the air, water, solids, plant growth, food processing and habitation hardware/software into the BIO-Plex chambers.

[ ChatModerator - 30 - 09:02:35 ]
Welcome, Keith! Could you also give a little about your jobs related to BIO-Plex?

[ RussFortson - 31 - 09:04:14 ]
RE: [Greg] Has any test been conducted using a free floating seed in the center of a dirtball with a moisture content of 40 to 50% that maintains a fixed spin rate?
Greg, to my knowledge, nothing of this type has been tried. Sounds like an interesting idea, though! One thing to keep in mind about BIO-Plex; it's intended as a surface life support system for a Martian or Lunar base. Therefore, we'll have gravity.

[ Keith - 32 - 09:05:16 ]
RE: [ChatModerator] Welcome to the chat, Russ! Could you please briefly give a little about your jobs related to BIO-Plex?
Meri I am a plant physiologist, my main activity is learing how to grow plants in closed environments with gravity to provide information to those engineers and scientiest who will build hardware for a closed life support system

[ ChatModerator - 33 - 09:06:09 ]
Keith and Russ, what are the purposes of BIO-Plex once it is completed? How soon will experiments begin, or have some already started?

[ RussFortson - 34 - 09:07:53 ]
I guess I should also add that I'm an engineer by training (agricultural engineer, in fact). Keith tells me what type of environment the plants need to be productive, and I design and build a system to provide that environment. My systems control light, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide, along with the water and nutrients that the plants need. Keith tells me what amounts of each are needed.

[ Keith - 35 - 09:08:14 ]
RE: [ChatModerator] Keith and Russ, what are the purposes of BIO-Plex once it is completed? How soon will experiments begin, or have some already started?
This is Keith. The purpose of the BIO-Plex is to serve as a test bed to determine the efficiency and reliaability of the entire life support system. From there we will build something that could be put on a planetary surface.

[ Kenneth - 36 - 09:08:14 ]
How much energy do you have to provide to allow the plants to grow and does bioplex make use of any naturally occuring energy sources?

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 37 - 09:10:04 ]
How big is BIO-Plex? Will the equipment you design be for growing plants in soil or hydroponically?

[ Keith - 38 - 09:10:46 ]
RE: [Keith] This is Keith. The purpose of the BIO-Plex is to serve as a test bed to determine the efficiency and reliaability of the entire life support system. From there we will build something that could be put on a planetary surface.
Actual tests will not begin for several years. Right now the chambers are just being outfitted with the essential equipment like lights, power, water, fire protection, floors, It is like buying a new house with no furniture or appliances. After you buy the house you put in carpet, chairs, stoves, tables

[ RussFortson - 39 - 09:11:05 ]
RE: [ChatModerator] Keith and Russ, what are the purposes of BIO-Plex once it is completed? How soon will experiments begin, or have some already started?
The BIO-Plex is intended to model a planetary habitat, specifically the life support systems that will be needed to keep people alive. It consists of 5 chambers (15' in diameter, 37' long) connected to a central tunnel (12' diameter, 66'long). It will contain equipment to keep 4 people alive continuously (air, water, food, solid waste management). The current plan has our first test of 120 days occuring in 2005. Eventually, we'll have tests lasting over 500 days. The schedule is currently under review due to the need to complete the International Space Station.

[ RussFortson - 40 - 09:12:48 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] How big is BIO-Plex? Will the equipment you design be for growing plants in soil or hydroponically?
Plants will be grown hydroponically (no soil media) in the BIO-Plex. We may grow a small amount of crops using simulated soils, but Keith can speak to that better than I can. We'll grow the typical food crops; wheat, potatos, soybeans, lettuce, tomatoes.

[ Keith - 41 - 09:13:18 ]
RE: [Kenneth] How much energy do you have to provide to allow the plants to grow and does bioplex make use of any naturally occuring energy sources?
Final design of the lighting system has not been determined. The power requirements for artificial lighting is very high. Initially BIO-Plex will not use any natural light. In the future one may use fiber optic systems to bring light into the chambers

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 42 - 09:13:39 ]
Keith, what kind of information do you give to Russ about the plants? What variables need to be controlled to successfully grow plants in BIO-Plex?

[ Kathryn/TheTimesLeader - 43 - 09:14:40 ]
How will different levels of gravity influence plant growth and needs?

[ RussFortson - 44 - 09:14:42 ]
RE: [Kenneth] How much energy do you have to provide to allow the plants to grow and does bioplex make use of any naturally occuring energy sources?
The BIO-Plex uses electricity from our local utility (and they LOVE us!). On the moon or Mars, we could possibly make use of solar power, or fuels from local resources. Those decisions will be made by other groups that specialize in space power systems. Our job is to provide the life support functions is as an efficient manner as possible.

[ Keith - 45 - 09:16:35 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Keith, what kind of information do you give to Russ about the plants? What variables need to be controlled to successfully grow plants in BIO-Plex?
We give information on the space needed to grow the crops, what intensity of light we need for the various plants, what temperatures are required, and some idea on how we are going to plant, harvest, and store the harvested crop.

[ RussFortson - 46 - 09:16:44 ]
RE: [Kathryn/TheTimesLeader] How will different levels of gravity influence plant growth and needs?
In general, reduced gravity isn't a problem with plant growth. Microgravity (commonly called "zero gravity") can cause problems with plant orientation, which can cause productivity problems. Keith, what do you have to say about this?

[ Kenneth - 47 - 09:17:03 ]
How many gallons of water will the BIO-Plex store for use by the plants and people?

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 48 - 09:18:33 ]
Regarding lights, do you know the type you will use for the proposed 2005 120-day test?

[ ChatModerator - 49 - 09:18:46 ]
Remember, students should only give their first name, and should not give any information about the name of their school or their home town. Thanks

[ Keith - 50 - 09:18:48 ]
RE: [Kathryn/TheTimesLeader] How will different levels of gravity influence plant growth and needs?
Kathryn, this is a good question. We (think ???) plants will grow in the 1/3 gravity of mars and that water will flow downhill and all those important considerations. However, we do not know for sure how gravity different from the earths gravity will affect all aspects of plant growth. I am sure there will be some differences.

[ ChatModerator - 51 - 09:19:50 ]
If you have included the name of your school in your message, please resubmit it with just your first name and it will be posted.

[ Keith - 52 - 09:20:47 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Regarding lights, do you know the type you will use for the proposed 2005 120-day test?
Meri The current thinking is that we will use Hi-Pressure Sodium lamps, much like you will find in a parking lot or along the street. These lamps are most efficient and give good quality of light for most plants being considered.

[ RussFortson - 53 - 09:21:33 ]
RE: [Kenneth] How many gallons of water will the BIO-Plex store for use by the plants and people?
Good question, Kenneth. In general, people use much less water than plants. In previous tests with 4 people living in a closed chamber, we used less than 50 gallons of water per day. We used the water over and over for up to 91 days. Plants need a lot of water (hundreds of gallons) to carry their nutrients. However, the water from plants is transpired into the air and is easily condensed in a fairly pure form. Therefore, the water that plants use may be available for other processes in the BIO-Plex.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 54 - 09:22:24 ]
Thanks, Keith. Could you describe how the intensity and spectrum of a sodium lamp are different from a fluorescent lamp?

[ RussFortson - 55 - 09:23:26 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Regarding lights, do you know the type you will use for the proposed 2005 120-day test?
We're also researching other types of lighting, such as LEDs, since ALL types of electrical lighting are inefficient compared to space flight systems. Much work will need to be done on lighting for the future exploration plans.

[ Keith - 56 - 09:23:29 ]
RE: [Kenneth] How many gallons of water will the BIO-Plex store for use by the plants and people?
We will be conducting tests between now and the final design of BIO-Plex to determine the amount of water to start with. Much depends upon how we process the waste, (human and plant) , how we process and clean the food, and what crop we grow. We would likely start with something like 200-400 gallons.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 57 - 09:24:42 ]
Russ, are you designing extremely automated systems, or will the astronauts still have to devote as significant an amount of time to "farming in space" as they do on Earth?

[ ChatModerator - 58 - 09:26:36 ]
Submitted by Blondie "We did the experiment in three different areas, Aerospace, Biology and Agriculture. We cut the wicks from cotton string about 10mm in diameter and not all of the wicks worked the same. How come?" - Rember, please do not include your location if you are a student.

[ Blondie - 59 - 09:26:55 ]
Is there a way to grow the plants in the Hpu without burning them as some of mine did?

[ Kenneth - 60 - 09:26:55 ]
Which plant types produce the most food and which ones give the best carbondioxide to oxygen exchange?

[ RussFortson - 61 - 09:27:24 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Russ, are you designing extremely automated systems, or will the astronauts still have to devote as significant an amount of time to "farming in space" as they do on Earth?
We're pursuing a goal of "adjustable autonomy". That means we'll try to design automated systems as much as possible, but we'll allow the crew to interact with the systems as much as they desire. In reality, automating ALL the systems will be expensive and impractical, so we'll probably keep the crew much busier than desired initially. The first BIO-Plex tests will show us what processes take too much time, and which don't.

[ Keith - 65 - 09:27:45 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Thanks, Keith. Could you describe how the intensity and spectrum of a sodium lamp are different from a fluorescent lamp?
Sodium lamps provide a lot of red wavelengths (which is good for plant growth) and by proper design of the lamps and ballasts can be made to be much more intense that Flourescent lamps. However, sodium lamps are deficient in blue wavelengths. Without the blue some plants (spinach, carrots for example) have long stringy growth. Fluorescent lamps are good for blue but lack the intensity of Hi-pressure sodium

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 66 - 09:28:45 ]
Welcome to the chat, Sauk Rapids!

[ Blondie - 67 - 09:29:34 ]
In LED research is there one particular color that would produce better results?

[ RussFortson - 68 - 09:30:34 ]
RE: [Kenneth] Which plant types produce the most food and which ones give the best carbondioxide to oxygen exchange?
Some crops provide more food, others provide more oxygen, and others provide more water. In general, food is the minimum thing provided by plants, so we grow crops based on their food output. In general, plants like wheat and other grasses with long, skinny leaves provide a lot of oxygen and consume lots of carbon dioxide. Plants with wide, flat leaves like lettuce can transpire lots of water.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 69 - 09:32:06 ]
Sauk Rapids, in my past attempts to use string, I had random success. I can't explain why some string wicks worked and some did not at moving fertilizer up into the soil. Perhaps Keith can shed some light on this? I ended up switching to a thin kind of felt material for our Farming in Space setups. They seem to work more consistently.

[ Keith - 70 - 09:32:07 ]
RE: [Kenneth] Which plant types produce the most food and which ones give the best carbondioxide to oxygen exchange?
Some plants grow better and produce higher yields than others. Plants like wheat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, give one the most yield of edible material per unit area. We have to have high yields for use in the BIO-Plex. The yield of oxygen and CO2 exchanbe is closely related to the growth of the crop and the energy (light) that you furnish

[ RussFortson - 71 - 09:33:24 ]
RE: [Blondie] In LED research is there one particular color that would produce better results?
Most LEDs are red by design, and they provide a decent amount of light to grow things like lettuce. Some systems now add the newer blue LEDs to provide a more complete light spectrum. (When you look at the red/blue LED panels from a distance, they actually look white!) The main issue with LEDs right now is getting enough light out of them to grow enough plants. Plus, they are still expensive. However, they are easier to package (they can be put into a square box) and they are easier to cool.

[ Keith - 72 - 09:34:32 ]
RE: [Blondie] In LED research is there one particular color that would produce better results?
You have to have red wavelengths. This is the light that is adsorbed by the chlorophyll molecules in the photosynthesis reaction. Blue light is important to keep the plants from growing tall and stringy (like growing is shade) We recommend both red and blue with about 85% red and 15% blue.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 73 - 09:34:39 ]
Russ or Keith, could you explain a little about how nutrients will be delivered to the plants in BIO-Plex?

[ RussFortson - 74 - 09:35:34 ]
RE: [Blondie] In LED research is there one particular color that would produce better results?
The short answer is that red is the only color readily available in LEDs, and that turns out to be the main color (but not the only) that plants need.

[ RussFortson - 75 - 09:37:42 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Russ or Keith, could you explain a little about how nutrients will be delivered to the plants in BIO-Plex?
Nutrients are dissolved into water and added to the water provided to the plants. Additionally, a mild acid or base is added to control the pH of the solution. This recipe can be adjusted during the test to allow for different needs of the plants during their growth cycle, or it can be kept constant. Keith provides this requirement, and I make the hardware perform to the requirement.

[ Kenneth - 76 - 09:37:57 ]
How much do you make use of fiber optics for ducting light? Is that so you can provided more centralized and efficient design?

[ Blondie - 77 - 09:38:24 ]
We have access to red green and yellow LED's if we were to make a growing area with 100 LED's do you think it would work? Any suggestions to make it work? We think it would make a neat comparision in our lab

[ Keith - 78 - 09:39:12 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Russ or Keith, could you explain a little about how nutrients will be delivered to the plants in BIO-Plex?
Our intention is to use a hydroponic plant growth system in which the nutrients are supplied in the water. The difficulty comes in maintaining a level of nutrients once the plants begin to grow. We would like to know enough about each plant to be able to adjust the amounts throughout the growing season. We would do this by injecting stock (concentrated chemical solution) into the irrigation water.

[ RussFortson - 79 - 09:39:16 ]
RE: [RussFortson] Nutrients are dissolved into water and added to the water provided to the plants. Additionally, a mild acid or base is added to control the pH of the solution. This recipe can be adjusted during the test to allow for different needs of the plants during their growth cycle, or it can be kept constant. Keith provides this requirement, and I make the hardware perform to the requirement.
We have a large main tank that contains the water and nutrients, plus a small tank of concentrated nutrients and a small tank of pH control (acid or base). Additions are automagically made from the small tanks into the large main tank as needed.

[ RussFortson - 80 - 09:41:41 ]
RE: [Kenneth] How much do you make use of fiber optics for ducting light? Is that so you can provided more centralized and efficient design?
Kenneth, fiber optics and light pipes offer a huge benefit, in my opinion, but they aren't sufficient for our needs yet. I think they will be used in the future, though. The main benefit is that the heat from the lights can be isolated from the plants. Also, light from outside MAY be available for supplementing the electric lights.

[ Keith - 81 - 09:42:07 ]
RE: [Kenneth] How much do you make use of fiber optics for ducting light? Is that so you can provided more centralized and efficient design?
Fiber optics would be used to transmit light to the plant growth chamber. For example, we would have a series of reflectors or concentrators that would reflect and focus natural light on the ends of fiber optic cables. The fiber optics would transmit the light some moderate distance (10 meters perhaps) and shine the light on the plants. There are ways to filter out infra red (heat) and ultra violet light and keep only the visible light. Therefore, there is much less heat delivered to the plant growth chamber.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 82 - 09:42:31 ]
Blondie's question on LEDs is interesting. How would you recommend spacing out the LEDs? How far above the plants should the LEDs be positioned?

[ Keith - 83 - 09:42:51 ]
RE: [Kenneth] How much do you make use of fiber optics for ducting light? Is that so you can provided more centralized and efficient design?
This concept is still in the research and testing stage. We have not actuall done this in a large scale

[ RussFortson - 84 - 09:43:58 ]
RE: [Blondie] We have access to red green and yellow LED's if we were to make a growing area with 100 LED's do you think it would work? Any suggestions to make it work? We think it would make a neat comparision in our lab
This sounds like it should provide the light quality (spectrum) that the plants would like. However, you also need to make sure that it provides the total quantity (amount) of light that the plants need. LEDs don't provide a lot of light, that's why they need to be combined into one larger package.

[ RussFortson - 85 - 09:45:55 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Blondie's question on LEDs is interesting. How would you recommend spacing out the LEDs? How far above the plants should the LEDs be positioned?
I'd position the LEDs as close to the plants as possible, without adding too much heat to the plant canopy. Her mix of LEDs sounds like an interesting experiement. I'd suggest using equipment to measure the light spectrum and total amount.

[ Keith - 86 - 09:46:35 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Blondie's question on LEDs is interesting. How would you recommend spacing out the LEDs? How far above the plants should the LEDs be positioned?
Spacing is a problem. The LED's have to be tightly packed to give an intensity suitable for plant growth. We use an array of about 90 LED's in a 6 inch square module. These are red and blue LEDS. Because LED's are cool you can grow the plants right up against the lights (you must have some type of barrier between the LED's and plants)

[ Kenneth - 87 - 09:47:01 ]
How many different growth cycles do you plan to have at one time? What happens if you have a bad batch?

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 88 - 09:47:01 ]
Russ and Keith, what types of materials does NASA use to "wick" nutrient solutions to the plants?

[ Blondie - 89 - 09:47:01 ]
How many LED's would we need? We have over 100 we just don't know how to set it up.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 90 - 09:47:40 ]
Russ, what type of equipment would you use. We have a light meter that measures light intensity in lumens, but how would one measure the spectrum?

[ RussFortson - 91 - 09:49:51 ]
RE: [Kenneth] How many different growth cycles do you plan to have at one time? What happens if you have a bad batch?
Growth cycles vary for specific crops. Lettuce takes around 28 days, and wheat takes around 70 days. Our design for the BIO-Plex has 10 separate growing areas, so we'll have plants at all stages of development once every area is planted. We'll try to stagger the cycles so we only harvest about once every week to 10 days. Since we have 10 different areas, this minimizes the risk of one area going bad.

[ LaurieRubergNASACOTF_Wheeling - 92 - 09:50:54 ]
Greetings Russ and Keith, Meri and other CHAT participants!! Looks like you've covered a lot of topics related to BIO-PLEX and other Farming in Space issues. Discussions about lighting are of great interest. Is lighting one of the most expensive environmental requirements to provide for the BIO-PLEX research?

[ RussFortson - 93 - 09:51:21 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Russ, what type of equipment would you use. We have a light meter that measures light intensity in lumens, but how would one measure the spectrum?
I can't think of the equipment that measures light spectrum right now (chat pressure?). Your light intensity meter is the more important measurement, in my opinion, so you should try it out.

[ Keith - 94 - 09:51:30 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Russ and Keith, what types of materials does NASA use to "wick" nutrient solutions to the plants?
We have used various materials. One is called Beta-Cloth. It is a tightly woven fiberglass material. Sort of like material that space suits are made out of. This is a custon made material not avaiable commercially. We have also used sail cloth that has been washed and bleached. For classroom demonstrations I cut about 1/2 inch wide strips of white felt that you can get at the local fabric store.

[ RussFortson - 95 - 09:52:13 ]
RE: [Blondie] How many LED's would we need? We have over 100 we just don't know how to set it up.
Per Keith's comment, I'd pack the 100 LEDs into as small a space as possible. Keith has 90 in a 6" by 6" area.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 96 - 09:52:35 ]
Before anyone signs off, I'd like to remind you to submit your school names, city and state and a contact name to issteam@cet.edu, so that we can include your school in our participant list! Thank you!

[ Blondie - 97 - 09:53:12 ]
Any way to measure light spectrum at the high school level at a low cost?

[ RussFortson - 98 - 09:54:33 ]
RE: [LaurieRubergNASACOTF_Wheeling] Greetings Russ and Keith, Meri and other CHAT participants!! Looks like you've covered a lot of topics related to BIO-PLEX and other Farming in Space issues. Discussions about lighting are of great interest. Is lighting one of the most expensive environmental requirements to provide for the BIO-PLEX research?
By FAR, lighting is the most energy intensive component of the BIO-Plex. We need to develop more efficient lighting. However, future power systems may be able to easily provide the power, so now weight or some other consideration becomes more important. BIO-Plex will allow us to identify the characteristics of all these components in an integrated fashion.

[ Keith - 99 - 09:54:45 ]
RE: [LaurieRubergNASACOTF_Wheeling] Greetings Russ and Keith, Meri and other CHAT participants!! Looks like you've covered a lot of topics related to BIO-PLEX and other Farming in Space issues. Discussions about lighting are of great interest. Is lighting one of the most expensive environmental requirements to provide for the BIO-PLEX research?
Lighting is a huge issue. The power required for artifical lighting is high and then there is the issue of getting rid of the heat generated by the lamps. This required more equiment for air conditioning. More motors, fans, blowers, etc. These add weight and themselves create more heat. We need a new invention betten than the one Thomas Edison came up with

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 100 - 09:54:49 ]
Thank you so much for all the information, Russ and Keith! Is it possible for the public to view the BIO-Plex complex at Johnson Space Center in Houston via Space Center Houston tours?

[ Kenneth - 101 - 09:55:02 ]
Where do you hope to find people to test the BIO-Plex for a year?

[ RussFortson - 102 - 09:56:00 ]
RE: [Blondie] Any way to measure light spectrum at the high school level at a low cost?
I don't know off hand. Your local county extension agent, or a local college physics department, may have access to some instruments.

[ Keith - 103 - 09:56:51 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Thank you so much for all the information, Russ and Keith! Is it possible for the public to view the BIO-Plex complex at Johnson Space Center in Houston via Space Center Houston tours?
Not at this time. In the future we hope to have a SCH tram stop for the Bio-Plex

[ Blondie - 104 - 09:56:52 ]
We priced blue LEDS and they are more spendy could we use the green and yellow to make up the 15% blue?

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 105 - 09:56:52 ]
How much "Astronaut Power" will be required to run a BIO-Plex on the Moon or on Mars? What percent automation will you try to design?

[ RussFortson - 106 - 09:57:07 ]
RE: [MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture] Thank you so much for all the information, Russ and Keith! Is it possible for the public to view the BIO-Plex complex at Johnson Space Center in Houston via Space Center Houston tours?
Unfortunately, the BIO-Plex is not part of the Space Center Houston tour. Hopefully in the future we'll be able to show it off to the public.

[ LaurieRubergNASACOTF_Wheeling - 107 - 09:58:06 ]
Thanks, Russ. I have a follow up question based on your reply. What are some of your immediate goals for making the BIO-PLEX system as efficient as possible?

[ RussFortson - 108 - 09:58:14 ]
RE: [Kenneth] Where do you hope to find people to test the BIO-Plex for a year?
You'd be surprised at the number of engineers and scientists working here that would sign up for the tests. I've participated in two previous tests (60 days and 91 days), but only as an alternate. I never lived inside the other chamber.

[ Keith - 109 - 09:58:26 ]
RE: [Kenneth] Where do you hope to find people to test the BIO-Plex for a year?
The people or test subjects would likely come from people in the programs we have. NASA, Contractors support the work, University people

[ Kenneth - 110 - 09:59:53 ]
Thanks for all the great information. I'll be looking forward to that tram tour in the future.

[ RussFortson - 111 - 10:00:23 ]
RE: [LaurieRubergNASACOTF_Wheeling] Thanks, Russ. I have a follow up question based on your reply. What are some of your immediate goals for making the BIO-PLEX system as efficient as possible?
Actually, efficiency isn't one of our primary goals yet. First, we need to put all of these processes into one integrated system and understand the operating characteristics. We've never operated ALL of these systems in an integrated fashion. Once we've done that, we'll identify the places that need more energy or weight efficiency.

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 112 - 10:00:26 ]
Thank you again, Keith and Russ, for all the information you have provided us. Feel free to add answers to any of the questions. Additional information on BIO-Plex may be found at this Web site: http://ADVLIFESUPPORT.JSC.NASA.GOV/

[ Keith - 113 - 10:01:33 ]
RE: [Blondie] We priced blue LEDS and they are more spendy could we use the green and yellow to make up the 15% blue?
Not likely, The plant senses (if that is the right word) rather narrow wavelengths in the blue region. It has to do with the biochemical reaction that occurs in the plant. The blue light activates some type of harmone that influences cell growth to make tham compact or elongated.

[ RussFortson - 114 - 10:01:42 ]
RE: [Blondie] We priced blue LEDS and they are more spendy could we use the green and yellow to make up the 15% blue?
I'd give it a try. You'll grow plants. The only question will be how well they grow. You can compare them to a standard fluorescent source. Just be sure to measure how MUCH light each system provides. This is the overriding factor.

[ RussFortson - 115 - 10:02:39 ]
RE: [Keith] Not likely, The plant senses (if that is the right word) rather narrow wavelengths in the blue region. It has to do with the biochemical reaction that occurs in the plant. The blue light activates some type of harmone that influences cell growth to make tham compact or elongated.
Okay, Keith knows more about this than I do. I'd listen to him! :)

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 116 - 10:03:29 ]
This brings our chat to a close. Stay tuned for announcements of future chats in the Farming in Space series at our Web site: http://www.cotf.edu/iss/activities/farminspace.asp .

[ MeriCummings/NASAClassroomOfTheFuture - 117 - 10:05:01 ]
Thanks again, everyone, for participating. Please send your school name, city, and state to issteam@cet.edu! Until next time...