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 | | RASTA (Radish Assimilation in Spaceflight Testbed Atmospheres) | | |
The objective of this project is to determine the effects of microgravity on the growth and development of Raphanus sativus L (radish). Long-duration
space missions utilizing bioregenerative life support systems will use rich in carbohydrates and oils such us soybean, wheat and potato for both their
caloric content and their life support functions. However, in the near to medium term, salad-type crops, which can be almost entirely consumed, and
which have a short- to medium-duration missions. In addition to dietary supplementation, salad-type species may have a significant role in long-duration
missions in promoting the recycling of salt, particularly Na, from the human wasted water stream.
Image right: Cherry Belle radish was chosen as the cultivar model for the RASTA (Radish Assimilation in Spaceflight
Testbed Atmospheres) experiment to evaluate the effect of microgravity on carbohydrate partitioning to the root.
In addition to the life support applications, radish serves as a model system for evaluating the effect of microgravity on carbohydrate portioning to
the root. Separating the microgravity effects from the spaceflight environment effects on crop growth is difficult. Because significant storage root
formation can be expected to occur during the duration of shuttle missions, the effects of both microgravity and the environment are expected to be
amplified and thus more readily separated.
The overall objective of this research is to determine whether development based carbon partitioning between root and shoot tissue occurs independent of
the microgravity environment.
There are five specific objectives of this research:
- Determine the effects of microgravity on partitioning of carbon between root and shoot tissue of Raphanus sativuscv. Cherry Belle.
- Identify radish cultivars that will perform well in spacefligth conditions.
- Determine the effects of temperature and CO2 on the growth and development of radish under microgravity conditions.
- Determine the effects of ethylene exposure on the growth and development of radish under microgravity conditions.
- Determine the effect of volatile organic compounds of the atmosphere on the growth and development under microgravity conditions.
Image left: RASTA Research Scientist monitoring ethylene with a portable Gas Chromatograph.
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