Document Type
Poster
Journal/Book Title/Conference
College of Engineering Senior Design Projects
Publisher
Utah State University
Location
Logan, UT
Publication Date
2018
Abstract
As work in space continues to progress, many different ideas are being explored to improve life for astronauts. One factor that has been extensively researched is the viability of growing plants on the international space station(ISS). As plants provide a fresh source of food and psychological benefits for the astronauts providing their care, growing plants has remained a point of interest for NASA over the years. Currently the VEGGIE system provides a platform for growing plants on the ISS; however, the system creates a large amount of waste (the substrate after use) and requires regular interaction from the astronauts, as the watering system is actively controlled.
A previous project at USU developed a 3D printed substrate in which plants could be grown. C3PO is aimed at improving the 3d printed substrate and providing models of how the substrate will react in space. The previous team ran into problems with their passive watering system and also lacked substrate reproducibility because the substrate design relied on infill to generate channels rather than detailed designs.
Recommended Citation
Bodnar, Carter; Boyd, Joanna; Brown, Rebecca; Burnash, Kaitlin; Dennis, Amanda; Furman, Brandon; Hansen, Camren; Heiner, Skyler; LeBaron, Cameron; Narrell, Nicholas; Nicholas, Ty; Peel, Adreann; Poulos, Andrew; Redd, David; Wallace, Joshua; and Bencze, Iren, "Creative 3D Plant Optimization (C3PO) System for the eXploration Systems and Habitation (X-Hab) 2018 Academic Innovation Challenge" (2018). Biological Engineering. Paper 12.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bioengr_srdesign/12