Chesterfield Station - PROJECT: GREENTHUMB

[Deep Space Engineering]

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DEEP SPACE ENGINEERING
TECHNICAL PRIMER

Subject: PROJECT GREENTHUMB
Related Subjects: PROJECT LADA, PROJECT ECOSTRESS
Security: WARNING

This document is unclassified, however it contains references to classified projects and technologies. Verify your security clearance before reading this document.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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Sincerely,
Repairs & Development Supervisor

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. About us . Chesterfield Station . Recruitment . Wiki page .

[Deep Space Engineering]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Status Report
TO: Operations

Texas System, Liberty Space

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Stage one is now complete. Stage 2 is underway. We require the following goods delivered to complete stage two.

• 60,000 Robotic Hardware (700 Sc)
  
• 60,000 Reinforced Alloy (700 Sc)
  
• 50,000 Hull Segments (1,000 Sc)

Please do not forget to provide a log of any goods delivered to Chesterfield Station.

Sam Florian Logs

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Status Report
TO: Operations

Texas System, Liberty Space

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This evenin' we pulled a secondary crew from last shift to run direct support aboard Globemaster and Globemaster II for Chesterfield Station followin' her little trip from New York. While they were at it, the boys got themselves a new storage module in place for set-up, and I decided to give 'em the green light for it. She's lookin' good in her new home, and here's to hopin' she can help clean up a bit of the great southern mess without pullin' ships into East Dallas regularly. If the boys get rowdy, they got a prime time view of Sugarland on the way out as a reminder to straighten up.

Had some issues with recording hardware aboard Globemaster II for a bit, but majority of the manifest should be below.

Cargo Transfers and Module Placement

Sincerely,

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

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Sincerely,
Repairs & Development Supervisor

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. About us . Chesterfield Station . Recruitment . Wiki page .

[Widow]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Status Report
TO: Operations

Texas System, Liberty Space

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A short shift today, 20,000 hull segments delivered toward stage two. That leaves 30,000 to go. I do not see it being long before we have enough supplies onboard to begin the construction of the gardens. In the mean time, I noticed the scrap is starting to move on Chesterfield again, after our successes in New York - I can only hope we see the same here in Texas.

All in all, the transportation of these goods was awfully uneventful, only ran into one other ship flying the Deep Space Engineering flag. Not that I am complaining, sometimes a quiet evening can be nice.

All deliveries have been documented below.

Deliveries

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Sincerely,
Repairs & Development Supervisor

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|  Émilie D’Aramitz  |  Pita  |  Jess Doe  |  Charlotte Frank  |  Amelia Scott  |  Sophia Johnson  |  Anais D’Aramitz  |  Sam Swanson  |

[Squad]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Project Greenthumb
TO: Operations

New York, Liberty Space

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Operation Note:

Undermanned today for third shift due to the boys bein' called out for a quick patch in California, but we ran Globemaster on some supplementary runs for Chesterfield in the meantime. Intake has about 29,820 units of robotic hardware to find a corner to stuff, so we'll give 'em some time before we get at it. Expected back during second shift tomorrow.

Deliveries

Sincerely,

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

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[Squad]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Project Greenthumb
TO: Operations

New York, Liberty Space

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Operation Note:

Had to split two shifts again today, but we kept it rollin'. Reports below for 14,910 Hull Segments and 19,880 Robotic Hardware. Dockmaster ain't gonna be happy.

Deliveries

Sincerely,

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

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[Squad]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Project Greenthumb
TO: Operations

New York, Liberty Space

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Operation Note:

Again stuck with shift splits. Randall and Marsh called in, got some family problems at home, so I didn't have a full shift available yesterday or today. On the bright side, thinkin' we got the remainder of the Hull Segments (17,395) and Robotic Hardware (24,850) complete for Ops. We'll move on to Reinforced Alloys in the next few days.

Deliveries

Sincerely,

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

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[Squad]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Project Greenthumb
TO: Operations

New York, Liberty Space

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Operation Note:

Finally got the basics handled. I suspect the boys'll want some new scenery, Penny ain't nobody's favorite. Manifest for should 64,610 Reinforced Alloy come through shortly, so where we at next?

Deliveries

Sincerely,

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

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[Deep Space Engineering]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Status Report
TO: Operations

Texas System, Liberty Space

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Stage two is complete. Stage three is now underway. We require the following goods delivered to complete stage three.

• 20,000 High Performance Alloy (1,500 Sc) (Out for Contract)
  
• 40,000 Optronic Arrays (2,500 Sc) (Out for contract)
  
• 20,000 Heat Sinks (1,700 Sc)
  
• 20,000 Plasfoam Conduits (1,800 Sc)
  
• 40,000 Industrial Hardware (700 Sc)

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Sincerely,
Repairs & Development Supervisor

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. About us . Chesterfield Station . Recruitment . Wiki page .

[Squad]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Project Greenthumb
TO: Operations

New York, Liberty Space

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Operation Note:

Got the boys up for Phase 2, but I'm happy to see we got some backup incomin'. Pulled a second screw on Globemaster.II to run locally-available supplies, but Globemaster got stuck with the out-of-town nonsense. Manifest below, think we got Heat Sinks (24,850) knocked out but still a little work to do with Industrial Hardware (19,880).

Deliveries

Sincerely,

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

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[Deep Space Engineering]

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Chesterfield Station

SUBJECT: Status Report
TO: Operations

Texas System, Liberty Space

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Stage three is well underway. The deliveries of High Performance Alloy was completed by the Junker Congress, and Optronic Arrays were delivered by our friends in Kishiro.

We require the following goods delivered to complete stage three:

• 20,000 Plasfoam Conduits (1,800 Sc) remaining
  
• 20,120 Industrial Hardware (700 Sc) remaining

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Sincerely,
Repairs & Development Supervisor

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. About us . Chesterfield Station . Recruitment . Wiki page .