Conveyor-type space greenhouse Vitacycle-T for the Russian segment of the International Space Station

The paper describes the design of the Vitacycle-T greenhouse for conducting the space experiment “Design Development and Optimization of Plant Cultivation Modes for Space-based Convey or type Greenhouse” on the Russian Segment of the international Space Station and the procedure for growing Chinese cabbage in conveyor-type sowing in cylindrical root modules inside vegetation module shaped as a spiral cylinder. it makes the case for the use of cylindrical configuration of root modules for growing a plant conveyor under dynamic zero gravity and provides results of ground tests of the greenhouse, including an analysis of considerations and problems involved in conducting tests of a cylindrical conveyor greenhouse in a ground-based test setup. The paper presents key greenhouse performance data (including performance of automatic controllers for on-demand plant watering and an innovative onboard system for preparing a nutrient solution) and outlines the ways for further improvement of conveyor-type greenhouses of a similar design for use in life support systems of interplanetary stations and planetary outposts.