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PGBA4 / CGBA2 Payload on ISS.9A

BioServe Space TechnologiesA Life Sciences – NASA Commercial Space Center

Alex Hoehn Assoc. Director Engineering

BioServe Space Technologies, 429, UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0429, Tel. (303) 492-1005, Fax (303) 492-8883

CGBA

PGBA

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PGBA-4 – STS-112 / ISS.9A

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PGBA-4 – STS-112 / ISS.9A

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PGBA-4 – STS-112 / ISS.9A

Payload Overview PGBA-4 / STS-112 – ISS.9A -> ISS.11A – Inc.5 :

• Science Summary.

• Reflight (4th) of PGBA, first ISS flight.

• Modifications since STS-94.» Split coolant system / dual pump.

» Modified nutrient delivery for timed germination.

Plant Access on Orbit:• Open Payload on Orbit

• Reverification of plant chamber seal.

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Science Overview

Investigate time course of genetic changes due to microgravity exposure:

30 Arabidopsis thaliana plants:

Biologically simple (mustard-type plant).

Fast growth rate – matures in 4-6 weeks.

Entire genome sequenced.

Two crops during Inc.5, automated, time- staggered germination, some germinated pre-launch:

1st crop sown pre-flight, multiple automated germinations, single harvest, fixed on-orbit.

2nd crop sown in-flight, automated germination, fixed on ground post-flight.

Mature plant, 4-6 weeks.

Plant as harvested from PGBA, 3 weeks.

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PGBA Payload Overview

PGBA-03: STS-94 in Proto-EXPRESS / Spacelab. PGBA-04: Mufflers for ISS.

STS-77: 10 day missionSTS-83: 4 day aborted MSL-1STS-94: 16 day MSL-1

No PGBA anomalies,but:- transfer issues / lesson learned

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Transfer Operations: PGBA to / from ISS

PGBA Transfer: Middeck to Spacelab, STS-94.

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Operations: Open PGBA Faceplate

• 4 locker latches open.• Faceplate rotated around bottom edge (hinged).

Plant Chamber lid still closed:Inspect for free water.

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Remove Plant Chamber Lid Screws

10 captive fasteners (1-2 turns).

Pull lid uniformly (parallel) from chamber.

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Harvesting Plant

Reach in, rotate each insert 2-3 turns ccw, then remove insert with plant.

Repeat for all 30 plants, fix and store in CGBA.

Insert new seed plug, rotate cw until tight.

Harvesting / Insertion of new seed plug (30x) into PGBA.

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ISS Operations – Harvesting

Remove fixative tube from CGBA, harvest plant, place plant in tube, attach plunger rod, inject fixative - slowly, store in CGBA.

Repeat for entire PGBA crop 30x.

Plunger rod – connect after plant insertion

Fixative Tube

End cap – remove to insert plant

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Operations – Sowing

Place new dry seed plugs into PGBA root tray, one at a time (30x).

Close chamber lid, hand-tighten 10 captive fasteners 2-3 times to ensure good seal.

Close PGBA faceplate, aligning pins and locking latches (4x).

Reconnect cables, power up PGBA.

Replace mufflers.

Perform PGBA Status Check.

Felt

Removable Plug

Plastic CoveredSteel Wire

Small Plastic Centrifuge

TubePlasticLine

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Re-Attach and Re-seal Plant Chamber Lid

Attach chamber lid and push down.

Tighten 10 captive fasteners (1-2 turns) going around perimeter until finger-tight.

Finger-tighten 1-2 more times to ensure proper seal.

(Optional battery-powered screw driver with Phillips head bit.)

Tighten screws 2-3 times around

1 2 3

4

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2-3 times

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PGBA Plant Chamber

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Atmosphere Treatment System

CO2

O2

HydrophobicFilter

Return toCabin

Intake fromCabin

HydrophobicFilter

CO2

O2

Delta-PDelta-P

BaOHScrubber

ActivatedCarbonFilter

PGCReturn

IntakefromPGC

SealedPlantGrowthChamber

C2H4Scrubber

CO2

O2

Light

H2O

PressureTemperatureRelative Humidity

MixingCirculation

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Atmosphere Treatment System

CO2

O2

HydrophobicFilter

Return toCabin

Intake fromCabin

HydrophobicFilter

CO2

O2

Delta-PDelta-P

BaOHScrubber

ActivatedCarbonFilter

PGCReturn

IntakefromPGC

SealedPlantGrowthChamber

C2H4Scrubber

Atmosphere Treatment Cartridge:• Barium Hydroxide• Activated Charcoal

3 levels of containment:• Stainless steel frit• Glass mesh• Stainless steel screen

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Humidity Control / Condensate Recovery

Root PackRemovable

Lid

Root PackBottom

Soil Needle

RubberSepta

Base

Comb

Root PackRemovable

Lid

Root PackBottom

Soil Needle

RubberSepta

Base

Comb

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PGBA-4 Pictures

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PGBA-4 Pictures

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PGBA-4 Pictures

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PGBA-4 Pictures

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PGBA-4 Pictures

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PGBA-4 Pictures

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PGBA-4 Pictures

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PGBA-4 Pictures