The success of long-duration space missions and the establishment of extraterrestrial settlements heavily rely on the ability to produce food in space. @Sierra Space, in collaboration with @NASA, has been at the forefront of developing innovative plant growth systems to address this challenge. The eXposed Root On-Orbit Test System (XROOTS), launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2022, is the latest advancement in space farming technology.
Building upon the success of the Veggie system, which has been used to grow various crops on the ISS since 2014, XROOTS aims to overcome the limitations of soil-based plant growth in microgravity environments. XROOTS utilizes advanced hydroponic and aeroponic methods to cultivate plants without the need for soil or other growth media. By eliminating the reliance on particulate media-based water and nutrient delivery systems, which have proven challenging to scale in space due to mass, containment, maintenance, and sanitation issues, XROOTS offers a promising alternative for larger-scale crop production in future space missions.
The XROOTS system is designed to provide sufficient water and nutrients to support crop growth while maintaining proper root zone aeration. It accommodates a variety of plant types, including rooting, fruiting, and leafy green crops, making it a versatile solution for space farming. The system is mounted below the Veggie facility, utilizing its lighting while providing a dedicated space for plant growth.
By studying these soilless technologies in microgravity, Sierra Space aims to identify suitable methods for producing crops on a larger scale, paving the way for the Astro Garden project and future space habitats. The potential applications of XROOTS extend beyond the realm of space. The growth system components developed for this investigation could also enhance plant cultivation in terrestrial settings, such as greenhouses, contributing to improved food security for people on Earth. By optimizing hydroponic and aeroponic techniques, XROOTS may help address the challenges of growing crops in resource-limited or adverse environmental conditions.