When people and equipment travel to the International Space Station, microbes like bacteria and fungi also come along for the ride. While some are harmless or even beneficial, some hitchhiking […]
Space Agriculture
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Gravitational Biology, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: MinION Sequencing Platform Effectively Detects Transcriptional Activity of Plant Microbes
Healthy plants are vital for successful, long-duration missions in space, as they provide the crew with life support, food production, and psychological benefits.
Posted inAstropharmacy / Biotechnology, Life Support Systems, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Space Stations
Space Botany and Biology Studies Under Way On The ISS
The orbiting lab is hosting a variety of life forms to help researchers understand how weightlessness affects biology. Observations provide insights often advancing health and improving conditions for humans on […]
Posted inAstronauts and Explorers, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Stations
Astronauts Harvest First Radish Crop on International Space Station
On Nov. 30, 2020, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins harvested radish plants growing in the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) aboard the International Space Station. She meticulously collected and wrapped in foil […]
Posted inCitizen Science / Open Science, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture
Monitoring Indoor Crop Health On Earth And Other Worlds
As the world urbanizes and technologies such as LED grow lights bring down costs, indoor farming is becoming an increasingly important part of the food supply. Eventually, indoor farming techniques […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Plant Biology, Press Release, Sample Return, Space Agriculture
Moss Brought Back to Life After 1,500 Years Frozen in Ice
Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey and Reading University have demonstrated that, after over 1,500 years frozen in Antarctic ice, moss can come back to life and continue to grow.
Posted inAstrobiology (general), NASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science
Mel Averner
Editor’s note: I just learned that my long time friend Mel Averner died last night. I will write something more lengthy at some point. Suffice it to say there were […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Plant Biology, Space Agriculture, Status Report
Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse Crops Continue to Thrive on Devon Island
Three weeks after the last humans departed from NASA Haughton-Mars Project Base Camp on Devon Island, the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse continues to operate – by itself. Its operations are […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Plant Biology, Space Agriculture, Status Report
Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse Grows First Crop on Devon Island
Two weeks after the last humans departed from NASA Haughton Mars Project Base Camp on Devon Island, the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse continues to operate – by itself. Its operations […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Plant Biology, Space Agriculture, Status Report
Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse Frequently Asked Questions
In July 2002 SpaceRef Interactive installed a greenhouse (the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse) on Devon Island as a contribution to the NASA-SETI Institute Haughton Mars Project (HMP). The greenhouse is […]