Biologists at NTNU have created the specially designed greenhouse that will be transported on NASA's space shuttle Discovery from California in July 2006. The greenhouse is designed to study plants in weightless conditions, but it is not the ISS astronauts that will take on a second job as gardeners. 400 kilometres out in space, the plants will receive water, nutrition, light and temperature all regulated by the control centre in Trondheim, Norway, reports the Norwegian Space Centre.
In competition with several prominent research nations within the field of space technology, the European Space Agency chose the plant bio centre at NTNU as host for the control centre. Here, research groups from all over the world will conduct experiments starting in the autumn of 2006.
"I have noted that the competitors are from prominent nations such as the U.S., Russia, Japan, Canada and several European nations. NTNU have once again proven that they are competitive on an international scale," said Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Odd Eriksen at the opening of the control centre. "Perhaps this is the start of a new era in space technology, and that is something we should be proud of."
The "flower pot" is perhaps above average for what the regular garden enthusiast utilises in regard to both price and technology: The pots have a price tag of NOK 500 000 (EUR 64 000) each, which is largely due to the strict security rules on the space station. However, if humans are ever to live on Mars, or create a permanent settlement on the Moon, one has to know whether plants can survive in weightless conditions. Without this vital food and oxygen source humans cannot survive in space.