Science and Payload Options for Animal and Plant Research Accommodations Aboard the Early Space Station

NASA has completed a series of technology, system analysis, conceptual design and programmatics studies of accommodations for animal and plant research aboard the Space Station. Mission and science requirements are reviewed together with the special subsystems and trade studies which were accomplished as the basis for configuration and layout analyses. Conceptual designs are presented of the laboratory accommodations recommended by the contractors from their parallel, competitive studies. Development cost estimates and schedules are reviewed.

Resources to develop the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) Station Animal and Plant Research Facility and the Growth Station Animal and Plant Vivarium and Laboratory may be limited. Moreover, accommodations for animal and plant research may be minimal in the IOC Station. An approach is described for developing Initial Research Capability (IRC) Minilabs for animal and plant studies which in appropriate combination and sequence can meet the requirements of an evolving research program, in available accommodations and within foreseeable budget constraints.