Plant Growth on the Space: A Case Study of Sorghum Growth on Microgravity Simulator as a Theoretical Model

Abstract

There is no doubt that the second brightest object in the sky after the Sun is the Moon, and it orbits around the Earth once per month. It is also our nearest celestial neighbor. Current interest in long-duration and planetary space exploration to Mars as an example requires further researches and understanding on self-sustaining societies. Moon is a possible platform for such studies. This article is a study of how Moon is vital for the future human space exploration for all deep space human missions. The major focus is to keep humans alive, happy and healthy on the surface. Identifying, designing and predicting technology requirements for Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for colonizing the Moon is the first task need to be performed to keep them alive. This project is a mathematical model for simulating plant growth on the Moon surface using the comparative study of plant growth in various gravity conditions. The experiment was done using Clinostat which is a microgravity simulating instrument used in an Earth laboratory. Sorghum plant was carefully selected and the effects of simulated microgravity on its growth was detected while the corresponding Earth’s gravity sample (1G) served as controls. With these data, the theoretical effects of Moon’s gravity on sorghum was extrapolated from 1G and simulated microgravity values. This therefore gives a great idea and result into Moon farming for crews’ survival.