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Plant Growth in Microgravity

The Plant Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (PGBA) was a plant growth chamber developed by BioServe to investigate plant physiology in microgravity. With its first mission in 1996, PGBA supported plant experiments on three separate Space Shuttle missions (STS-77, STS-83, and STS-94) and also operated onboard the ISS for a short stint in 2002.

PGBA required a double middeck locker form-factor to fit the necessary hardware which included a central Plant Growth Chamber (PGC). The PGC included a complex system to deliver nutrients to the root matrix mechanical structure. The PGC was supported by the following subsystems:

• Lighting system to provide energy for plant photosynthesis
• Carbon dioxide control system to keep CO₂ low
• Humidity control system to remove excess transpired water and recycle it back to the plant roots
• Ethylene removal system to limit accumulation of toxic plant-growth byproducts
• Dual video cameras to capture plant growth over time
• Thermal control system to maintain the PGC at a constant temperature
• Computer system to autonomously control PGBA and communicate to the Space Shuttle
• LCD touch screen for crew interface

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