Summary of Operational Capabilities

The Microgravity Plant Nutrient Experiment (MPNE) is designed to support plant growth in microgravity using a ceramic porous tube growth system. The MPNE was designed to germinate and keep alive plant seeds during the length of an experiment while maintaining a predetermined amount of plant nutrient solution on the plant tube surface. It uses LEDs to provide light for plant development during the experiment. A fan mixes the gases supplied to the plant. Data provided by onboard sensors (humidity and temperature) is recorded by the MPNE.

The MPNE does not provide active cooling or environmental control, but the design guarantees that ambient temperature for the plant specimens does not exceed 49 degrees centigrade. Because of these particular temperature (15-30 degrees centigrade) and relative humidity (80-100%) ranges presented by the MPNE hardware, plant specimens must be carefully chosen to withstand this environment.

See line drawing of MPNE.

Usage

The MPNE has flown on the following payloads:

Mission	Payload (Experiment)
STS-89	MPNE

Technical Details

The physical dimensions are 20 in length x 16 in width x 10 high. Electrical power requirements are 115 watts @ 28 VDC. Total weight is 54 lbs.

Hardware developed for the MPNE is configured for insertion into one standard Space Shuttle Program middeck locker.

Lexan plant enclosures provide one level of containment for the fluid nutrient, growth substrate and gases.