Rhodium Space Microgreens

Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge 2022: Examining the Growth of Nutrious Microgreens in a Microgravity Environment

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Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge 2022: Examining the Growth of Nutritious Microgreens in a Microgravity Environment (Rhodium Space Microgreens) examines the effect of microgravity on germination rates. Microgreens have peak nutritional value during early growth phases. Microgravity has been shown to alter plant growth rates, which may affect the timing of germination. Results could support the use of microgreens as part of a healthy diet for crew members on future space missions and also improve microgreen production on Earth.

The following content was provided by Olivia Holzhaus, and is maintained by the ISS Research Integration Office.

Experiment Description

Research Overview

The Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge 2022: Examining the Growth of Nutrious Microgreens in a Microgravity Environment (Rhodium Space Microgreens) investigation aims to test the germination rates of microgreens in space for the benefit of future space travelers as a potential food source and to improve plant growth on Earth.

• The nutritional benefits of microgreens have been well recognized in diet recommendations and promoted in health programs.
• Microgreens represent the second phase of a plant life cycle, a time when the plant contains high levels of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
• The student researchers selected two different plants, alfalfa and white clover, and two different soil types to examine germination rates in microgravity, as compared to controls conducted on Earth.
• Microgravity has been shown to alter plant growth rates, which may alter the timing of this critical phase in the plant growth cycle.
• This project represents the second mission for the Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge, a program jointly developed by Swinburne University of Technology and Rhodium Scientific to support quality-assured science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education investigations.

Description

The Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge 2022: Examining the Growth of Nutrious Microgreens in a Microgravity Environment (Rhodium Space Microgreens) project represents the second installment of the Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge, a program jointly developed by Rhodium Scientific and Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, to support space-based technology development. Through this annual Challenge, students from multiple high schools collaborate with Swinburne University faculty to develop a unique scientific investigation incorporating industry standards to be conducted on the International Space Station (ISS). The Rhodium Scientific science team works with university mentors to guide the students through the project development process. The result is a flight feasible, scientifically sound experiment that enhances the students’ educational experience and provides valuable scientific data for public distribution. This program is intended to be a recurring annual University-Corporate collaboration between Swinburne University and Rhodium Scientific to provide STEM opportunities with biotech quality assurance guidelines.

The selected project this year is a science investigation to test the germination rates of microgreens in space. Characterization of early seed germination rates is critical to future efforts to provide space travelers nutritional plants to enhance food sources. The students have selected two different plants, alfalfa and white clover, to examine germination rates in microgravity as compared to controls conducted on Earth. The students selected multiple soil types and liquid media to add multiple points of comparison. Results from this project can be used to support fundamental plant growth research while providing a better understanding of the use of this food source within space vehicles.

Plant seeds are transported to the ISS within the Rhodium Science Chamber Facility (MAPTIS Part Number RhSC-05CT), which supports Rhodium Scientific’s flight-certified hardware Rhodium Cryotubes 0005 (MAPTIS Part Number RhCT-0005). The RhSC-05CTs is stowed at ambient temperature for the duration of the launch before being transferred to the ISS cabin at ambient temperatures for incubation. The seeds germinate shortly after arriving at the ISS and are grown for 15-20 days. The investigation is returned to Earth on the first available landing vehicle. Postflight analysis determines the growth height and plant structures as compared to the ground controls. The full environmental temperature profile is monitored during all phases of flight by Rhodium Scientific’s flight-certified temperature logger, Rhodium Science TempLog 20iB (MAPTIS Part Number RhST-20iB).

Applications

Space Applications

This investigation supports development of microgreens as a food source on future missions by providing a better understanding of how microgravity affects growth rates and stages.

Earth Applications

Results from this study could improve production methods and nutritional content of microgreens for use on Earth. This research, an annual collaboration between Swinburne University and Rhodium Scientific, provides opportunities for students to conduct research and encourages interest in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics fields.

Operations

Operational Requirements and Protocols

The Rhodium Space Microgreens investigation uses the ISS Rhodium Science Chamber 05CT Facility (RhSC-05CT Facility) supporting Rhodium Cryotube 0005 flight hardware. The Rhodium Science Chamber 05CT Facility provides sufficient volumes for quality-assured sample replicates and controls. After arrival aboard the ISS, the RhSC-05CT Facility is transferred into an ambient, on board stowage location for the incubation of the seeds for germination. The RhSC-05CT Facility is transferred to cold stowage at the end of the 14 to 21-day incubation period. At the end of the ISS mission, the RhSC-05CT Facility is returned to Earth in a cargo vehicle using cold stowage for delivery of the samples to the research team’s laboratory in Australia. During all phases of the mission, temperatures are monitored by Rhodium Scientific’s flight-certified sample temperature logger (Rhodium Science TempLog 20iB), which remains with the samples throughout the duration of the mission for quality assurance and to ensure temperature profile accuracy