Life Sciences in the Space Program 



The effects of weightlessness on higher plant or algal growth, development, 

 and reproduction 



— The capability to grow crop plants from generation to generation 



— The capability of plant growth systems developed for a CELSS to function 

 in space 



The effects of cosmic radiation on plant growth and development, including 

 mutations or genetic aberrations. 



• Despite the need for experimentation in space, a flight experiment plan for the 

 CELSS Program does not exist. 



Recommendations 



• The Life Sciences Division should immediately define and give high priority 

 to the flight experiments needed to resolve key issues pertinent to CELSS. 



• The Life Sciences Division should continue to pursue every opportunity to 

 fly CELSS experiments on the following: 



— Shuttle and Space Station missions 



— Cooperative missions with the Soviets, Europeans, and Japanese 



— Vehicles that should be considered for development, such as a dedicated 

 life sciences satellite with the capability to carry extended plant exper- 

 iments into space and back to Earth. 



Integrated and Manned System Testing 



Finding 



• The Soviets, by constant attention to research over the long run, have gained 

 information about CELSS that the United States does not possess but needs 

 for manned missions of extended duration. 



Recommendation 



• Testing with two or more persons in a fully developed CELSS should occur 

 prior to the turn of the century if NASA expects to establish the design 

 criteria to build a spaceworthy module. 



— The tests should be long enough to verify crop/biomass production, 

 waste management, system control and monitoring, and continuous, 

 reliable operation of all systems. 



— The CELSS Program should be ready to begin development of flight- 

 certified hardware for testing on the Space Station at about the end of 

 the first definition phase of a lunar base or Mars mission. 



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