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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.

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.

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.

If you are accessing this document, you will be involved in the construction, supply or operation of PROJECT GREENTHUMB.

Sincerely,
Repairs & Development Supervisor

Sincerely,
Repairs & Development Supervisor

Sincerely,
Repairs & Development Supervisor

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering

Sam Florian

Operations - Deep Space Engineering