MIR, STS-89 to STS-91:

Seed-to-Seed Development of Wheat in Microgravity

WCSAR flew an Astroculture payload, ASC-7, on the Russian MIR space station, from early February 1998 to mid April 1998. The flight unit went into orbit on board STS-89 and returned on board STS-91. All work was done on MIR.

The purpose of the experiment was to study the effects of microgravity on the reproductive physiology of higher plants. In this case, the seed to seed cycle of dwarf wheat plants.

Dwarf Wheat plants growing under LED lighting.

This research was designed to further evaluate the technology used to support food production by crews on long duration space flights, and to help lay the groundwork for commercial plant genetic engineering activities to be conducted on board the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, a new component of the Astroculture flight hardware was successfully tested in microgravity: a system for autopriming the fluid loops on orbit, with the one-time push of a button. The autopriming function allows Astroculture to be taken into orbit unpowered and activated once in orbit.

MIR Space Station

After an initial 24 hour period of flawless performance, data downlinked from ASC-7 indicated that the computer containing the control software had malfunctioned. While subsequent repairs on orbit were unsuccessful, the MIR activity provided WCSAR with experience in the real-time diagnosis and repair of off-nominal hardware while in space.

STS-50 - STS-57 - STS-60 - STS-63 - STS-73 - STS-95 - STS-101 - STS-107  /  STS-89/91 - Inc 2 - Inc 4 - Inc 5