Rudolph IL, Schaefer RL, Heathcote DG, Chapman DK.
ASGSB Bull. 1992 Oct; 6: 47.
Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Company, Moffett Field, CA.
Experience with two plant experiments in the First International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-1) Gravitational Plant Physiology Facility (GPPF) reveals the importance of complete biocompatibility testing before flight. It is vital that all aspects of experiment preparation be tested at the launch site laboratory, including details such as the sterilization equipment and temporary storage containers used. During preparations for IML-1, the first and only time we had the opportunity to test these conditions was 2 weeks before launch. In these tests, germination was severely limited for both oat and wheat. Had the problem not been discovered, and corrective action taken before the launch all GPPF science would have been lost. The time available to diagnose the problems was barely sufficient to devise and take corrective action before preparations for launch. The abstract will present an overview of the biocompatibility testing used, and the steps that were taken which resulted in two successful plant experiments flown on board IML-1 in January 1992.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Avena sativa
- Germination
- Human Development
- Plant Physiology
- Plants
- Space Flight
- Triticum
- Weightlessness
- growth & development
- NASA Discipline Number 00-00
- NASA Discipline Plant Biology
- NASA Experiment Number 178054 1/1
- NASA Program Flight
- Non-NASA Center
Other ID:
UI: 102212663
From Meeting Abstracts