This document is unclassified, however it contains references to classified projects and technologies. Verify your security clearance before reading this document.
INTRODUCTION
PROJECT GREENTHUMB is the oversight term for a number of parallel projects undertaken by Deep Space Engineering's Astrobotony and Bioastronautics Study Groups. The project includes contributions from PROJECT LADA as well as PROJECT ECOSTRESS
In simplest terms, PROJECT GREENTHUMB is the culmination and practical application of Deep Space Engineering's research, and adaptation of successfully cultivating edible plants in a low gravity space station setting. PROJECT GREENTHUMB aims to design, construct, and operate a completely artificial greenhouse to produce enough food to sustain life on a space station without external life supporting deliveries.
PROJECT GREENTHUMB is intended to be first implemented on Chesterfield Station, since its intention to relocate to Texas in a more remote setting, this is intended to eliminate the need to import food supplies; as well as investigate the effects of microgravity on plant life, to find a long term alternative to shipping goods to the station increasing the productivity and profit of all tasks being undertaken onboard Chesterfield Station, and add fresh food to the crews diet and enhancing happiness and well-being.
In the absence of gravity, plants use other environmental factors, such as light, to orient and guide growth. A bank of light emitting diodes above the plants is used to produce a spectrum of light suited for each individual type of plants' growth. This LED bank allows for each type of plant to receive its own unique amount of time under the light, and intensity of light, for optimal growth conditions. It has been noted the plants tend to reflect a lot of green light and use more of the red and blue wavelengths, because of this, each of the gardens tends to glow a bright magenta pink.
PROJECT GREEMTHUMB has so far been successful in all trials. This, in short, means Deep Space Engineering has successfully grown a variety of plants, including (but not limited to) lettuce, cabbage, capsicums, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and tomato. This provides a staple plant based diet for the crew onboard the station, with an entire segment being dedicated to this to ensure the food supply is not depleted. Many of the plants have been harvested and eaten by the crew members, after samples of each had been taken to ensure there were no harmful microbes growing on the produce.
To date, no harmful contamination has been detected, and the food has been safe for the crew to eat, with many stating there is no difference in taste between produce grown in space compared to that grown planet side. After relocating to Texas, Deep Space Engineering intends to add antioxidant-rich foods to provide a small amount of protection of radiation in space as they are aware that the radiation in the proposed sector will be significantly higher than that in New York.
LOCATION
The PROJECT GREENTHUMB is to reside in Chesterfield Station, this will be situated behind the laboratories, on the opposite of the station to the Premium Scrap storage facilities. This distance is to ensure contamination of food supplies does not occur.
DESIGN
PROJECT GREENTHUMB is to consist of a number of individual 'gardens' Each garden is about the size of a carry-on piece of luggage and typically holds six plants. Each plant grows in a clay-based growth media and fertilizer. The pillows are important to help distribute water, nutrients and air in a healthy balance around the roots. Otherwise, the roots would either drown in water or be engulfed by air because of the way fluids in space tend to form bubbles.
In the absence of gravity, plants use other environmental factors, such as light, to orient and guide growth. A bank of light emitting diodes above the plants is used to produce a spectrum of light suited for each individual type of plants' growth. This LED bank allows for each type of plant to receive its own unique amount of time under the light, and intensity of light, for optimal growth conditions. It has been noted the plants tend to reflect a lot of green light and use more of the red and blue wavelengths, because of this, each of the gardens tends to glow a bright magenta pink.
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
If you are accessing this document, you will be involved in the construction, supply or operation of PROJECT GREENTHUMB.
STAGE ONE:
In Stage one we will be required to construct additional storage facilities onboard Chesterfield Station to hold the intended gardens.
60,000 Hull Segments (1,000 Sc)
25,000 Robotic Hardware (700 Sc)
STAGE TWO
Stage two will be the development and preparation of the physical gardens.
60,000 Robotic Hardware (700 Sc)
60,000 Reinforced Alloy (700 Sc)
50,000 Hull Segments (1,000 Sc)
STAGE THREE
All the electronics, and other assorted mechanical components for the gardens.
20,000 High Performance Alloy (1,500 Sc)
40,000 Optronic Arrays (2,500 Sc)
20,000 Heat Sinks (1,700 Sc)
20,000 Plasfoam Conduits (1,800 Sc)
40,000 Industrial Hardware (700 Sc)
STAGE FOUR
Establishing the gardens.
10,000 Floragrow (700 Sc)
10,000 Fertilizers (2,600 Sc)
500 Scientists (1,000 Sc)
1000 Neon (700 Sc)
(You will need to work with a station administrator to allow for this to be sold on the station for the first delivery of each of these items)
PLEASE NOTE
All items MUST be registered in this post with a time stamp to count towards the delivery numbers.
All items transported in a freighter class vessel will receive a bonus.