The TIME SCALE project was initiated by the development of a project scenario. In this scenario, the project work was planned and structured as means to achieve project success (i.e. fulfil the objectives).
Following the ESA standards, Crop cultivation system requirements and requirements for an Algae cultivation chamber were defined. An effort was made to bridge the gap between desired growth conditions and available resources, space and time to keep within the boundary conditions of the ISS. Based on these requirements, an implementation-plan was outlined, illustrating the foreseen work flow from design concept to verification phase.
A Crop cultivation system concept and the Modular test bed concept to be used during the verification testing were developed. The Crop cultivation system breadboard design focused on the Plant cultivation chamber and Water and nutrient management subsystems. Concepts for two different Algae cultivation chambers were developed: one with a focus on a life support research/technology demonstration, and the other on fundamental biological research. These could replace the Plant cultivation chambers in the overall system.
The Crop cultivation system breadboard and the Modular test bed were developed and assembled.
Functionality (without plants) and life testing (with plants) were performed. The operational concept of the breadboard was demonstrated. Valuable experience was gained for the next model towards a flight system for the International space station.
In parallel to the Crop cultivation system development and validation, life science experiments linked to water and nutrient management and plant health monitoring were performed.
Technology development on the Multi- ion sensor system, Compact- gas chromatography and Multispectral image analysis system were finalized.
