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The EDEN ISS nutrient delivery system (NDS) is based on proven horticultural management technology. While some system aspects are relatively new, they will not impact the overall reliability of operation. Similarly, the control system that will operate the NDS and other subsystems is based on Argus Controls (Surrey, BC, Canada) hardware, which has been a greenhouse control and environment management standard since 1984. The bulk of the NDS hardware is contained within the FEG, a 6 meter insulated shipping container equipped with eight growing racks holding a total of forty-two plant growth trays covering 11.9 square metres of growing space. The system was designed to grow lettuce, herbs, pepper, tomato and cucumber and will supply the Neumayer Station III crew with fresh produce during operation. Plants will be grown in recirculating nutrient solution that has both pH and electrical conductivity (EC) control. Water will be delivered to the modular growing trays using a hybrid aeroponic/nutrient film technique (NFT) from two nutrient tanks located in the service section. While the NDS in itself uses reliable and proven hardware and growing techniques, the challenges of remote deployment in the Antarctic will provide the needed operational and productivity data required for future missions to the Moon or Mars |
