BioTECH Student Research
Growing Beyond Earth helps provide a stream of data to NASA scientists who are developing technologies for growing food crops for long-duration missions into deep space.
Cultivar Testing
Students conduct growth trials based on criteria set by scientists at NASA Kennedy Space Center to select plants that produce large amounts of edible biomass, require low amount of resources (water, fertilizer, growth medium, etc.), and contain high levels of vitamins not found in the processed astronaut diet.
Fairchild Researcher: Marion Litzinger, M.S.
Community Collaborators: Gioia Massa, Ph.D.,(NASA,KSC)
Project Resources: GBE MAIN SITE, Drive
Additional References: GBE: a citizen science project, Welcome from NASA, TEDxCoconutGrove, VEGGIE fact sheet, VEGGIE
Location: Innovation Studio: Plant Grow Lab
PPT
Applied Technology: Microcontroller Programming for Automated Growth Systems
Fairchild is developing and testing technology for growing plants on spacecraft. Microcontroller-embedded IoT systems are used to automate environmental controls and optimize plant growth. Python and/or Arduino coding skills are essential for hacking and improving these systems.
Fairchild Researcher: Carl Lewis, Ph.D.
Project Resources: Student PPT
Additional References: About the Innovation
Innovative Growth Designs
Fairchild is working with NASA Kennedy Space Center and soliciting ideas from makers nationwide for new food production technology. The Innovation Studio projects support the development of new hardware and designs for growing plants in space.
Community Collaborators: Jacob Torres M.S., Technical & Horticultural Scientist, NASA KSC.
Project Resources: Overview, Growing Beyond Earth Design , Drive
Additional References: About the Innovation
Location: Innovation Studio: Design Lab
