title: [Development of a prototype of space vegetable-cultivating facility for ground-based experiments].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a ground-based experimental prototype of space vegetable-cultivating facility (GEPSVF), so as to solve the main key techniques related to higher plant cultivation in space environmental conditions, and to further lay a foundation for future development and application of the prototype of space vegetable-growing facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on detailed demonstration and design of technique plan, the blueprint design and machining of components, whole facility installment, debugging, trial operations and verification experiments were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The parameters in the growing chamber such as temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, total pressure, O2 partial pressure, CO2 partial pressure and water content of the growing media were totally and effectively controlled; the light source was electronic fluorescent lamp; the average vegetable-producing output reached 60 g (fresh weight) d-1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prototype could operate stably; its actual performance indexes achieved the expected ones basically; some of its operating principles can adapt to space microgravity condition. Therefore, the prototype is a good beginning for future development of space vegetable-producing facilities.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing, China. gss@tom.com
authors.forename: Shuang-sheng
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Xiang-yang
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Li-jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jing-tao
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xiao-xia
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Wei-dang
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.forename: Jing-song
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yong-kang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006813:Humidity; D018527:Hydroponics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018545:Lactuca; D008021:Life Support Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D010100:Oxygen; D010313:Partial Pressure; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water; D014893:Weightlessness; D014919:Wind
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen