So far, humans have performed short duration journeys to the Moon and astronauts have been living onboard the International Space Station since the year 2000. The astronauts are dependent on regular supplies. Each day, crew members require around 30 kg of water, food and air. Growing plants in space opens up new possibilities for long-term missions, and may in the future reduce the burden of bringing or shuttling provisions. Ultimately, advanced cultivation systems may provide astronauts with space-grown food, and closed regenerative life support system may recycle water, nutrients, air and waste in a viable ecosystem.
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Plant research is carried out onboard the International Space Station using research platforms such as the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS), a small and experimental "greenhouse" system. TIME SCALE aims at new cultivation and monitoring technology for EMCS that will make possible a new generation of advanced experiments on food plants and algae bioreactors.
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TIME SCALE develops new plant production technology for monitoring nutrient levels in soilless cultivation systems and remote sensing of plant health. Such knowledge and technology on nutrient and water recycling, and early warning systems for crop suboptimal growth conditions have significant relevance for terrestrial greenhouse systems.
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