Ricerc@Sapienza

This paper is aimed at demonstrating the possibility of growing a tomato ideotype, fortified in anti-oxidant content (derived from Micro-Tom, a model cultivar for tomato research overexpressing anthocyanins) and specifically developed for spatial environment, in a seed-to-seed cycle (70-90 days) on a CubeSat. To reach this goal, a dedicated micro satellite equivalent to 12 U will be developed to be sent into low-orbit. Growing plants in space is a prerequisite to sustain long-term human exploration of the solar system.

Moon and Mars are consolidated targets of the human exploration of the solar system. During space mission the importance of recycling resources is clear; In this regard, plants play a significant role in every ecosystem, even when the system is a “micro” environment such as a spacecraft. Photosyntethically active plants absorb carbon dioxide, generating oxygen, fresh nutrients and clear water by transpiration process, utilizing also crew’s trashes.