 Render of the Eu:CROPIS satellite after launch | |
| Mission type | Life sciences research |
|---|---|
| Operator | German Aerospace Center[1] |
| COSPAR ID | 2018-099BB |
| SATCATno. | 43807 |
| Mission duration | Planned: 1 year[1] Final: 1 year and 28 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | DLR Compact Satellite bus[2][3] |
| Manufacturer | DLR |
| Launch mass | 250 kg (550 lb)[1][3] |
| Dimensions | 1.0 m diameter x 1.13 m length[3] with panels deployed: 2.88 m wide[3] |
| Power | 520 W, 4 solar arrays, Li-ion batteries[1][3] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 3 December 2018[4] |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 (Block 5)[5] |
| Launch site | Vandenberg Air Force Base |
| Contractor | SpaceX[6] |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Decommissioned |
| Deactivated | 31 December 2019 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth (SSO) |
| Perigee altitude | 575 km (357 mi)[3] |
| Inclination | 98°[2][3] |
| Period | 10 h |
| Epoch | Planned[5] |
| Transponders | |
| Band | S band[3] |
Eu:CROPIS (Euglena and Combined Regenerative Organic-Food Production in Space) was a life science satellite developed by theGerman Aerospace Center (DLR) and intended to investigate the possibility of growing plants (specificallytomatoes) in different levels of gravity, such as that of theMoon andMars,[1] as asustainable food source using human urine for moisture and as the source of fixed nitrogen.
This orbital mission was intended to simulate and teste twogreenhouses that could be scaled up and assembled inside a lunar or Martian habitat to provide the crew with a local source of fresh food, while recycling human urine intofertiliser.[6] Some microorganisms would be added to convert synthetic urine into easily digestible fertilisers for the tomatoes. The aim was to develop a stable, closed-loop, bio-regenerativelife support system functioning in low gravity.[7]
In more detail, porouslava stones were fitted in trickle filters and dried soil containingnormal soil microbial colonies. Microbes would then use nitrite (NO−
2) to convert the harmful ammonia (NH
3) into nitrate (NO−
3), which is then added to sixtomato seeds as liquid fertiliser.[6] In addition, the system incorporated a colony of the single-cell microorganismEuglena gracilis, aphotosynthetic algae able to produce oxygen andbiomass while protecting the entire system against high ammonia concentrations.[6][7] This oxygen is necessary for the conversion of urine to nitrate until the photosynthetic oxygen production by the tomatoes is sufficient.[7]
The spacecraft was designed replicate lunar gravity on one greenhouse for a period of six months before simulating Martian gravity on the second greenhouse for the next six months.[6] The level of gravity on the Moon (0.16 g) and Mars (0.38 g) was simulated by rotating the spacecraft's cylindrical body around its longitudinal axis.[1] The various payload experiments were placed in different areas within the cylinder.[3] Tomato seed germination and plant growth were monitored with 16 cameras,[6] while the RAMIS (RAdiation Measurement In Space)radiometers monitored the radiation inside and outside the spacecraft.[6][7]
The greenhouse was made of clearpolycarbonate, with an approximate volume of 12 L (730 in3).[7] The closed system featured moisture,pH, oxygen, pressure and temperature sensors, and was capable of controlling these parameters. Four small fans created airflow through a cooling device to maintain a stable "atmospheric" temperature. On top of the greenhouse, three lamps provided light in the correct spectrum for photosynthesis.[7] Scanners and fluorometers measured cell density and photosynthetic yield. The fluids were to be monitored with seven electrodes to measure ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, pH, chloride, sodium, and potassium.[7]
To monitor the health ofEuglena gracilis, the system also analysed the microbes'mRNA to determine which proteins —and therefore whichgenes— were being commanded into action.[7]
The aim was to develop a stable, andsymbiotic biologicallife support system while being exposed to gravity levels similar to those on the lunar surface as well as the surface of Mars. Both phases of experimentation would last for six months.[7] With water being the only component that has been recycled so far and all other components being extracted and disposed, processing of urine is an issue in human space flight. Eu:CROPIS was intended to examine the possibility of using previously disposed waste to grow fruits and vegetables after proper conversion. Two life support systems (a nitrifying trickle filter system and the single-celled algaeEuglena gracilis) within the satellite were to be used for producingbiomass out of artificial urine in a closed system. Furthermore, the algaeEuglena gracilis would protect the biosystem against high levels of ammonia present in urine.[3]
Both the satellite and the experiment are called Eu:CROPIS. The satellite features fourgyroscopes, twomagnetometers, threemagnetic torque rods and a Sun sensor in combination with a single-frequency PhoenixGPS receiver forattitude control.[3][10] The power for the satellite is provided by an Electrical Power Subsystem, which includes alithium-ion battery and four deployable fixed solar arrays delivering an average of 520 W of power.[1]
The Eu:CROPIS mission ended on 31 December 2019. The three supporting payloads generated large amounts of data, but the eponymous Eu:CROPIS experiment failed to activate due to a software problem. The satellite is expected to slowly de-orbit over the next two decades before reentering Earth's atmosphere.[11]
