Forschung-1 Module

The first scientific module of the Pioneer station is a small-scale experiment for a new model of cultivation in microgravity. The overall hull of the module is roughly identical to that of the basic Core modules, but it lacks orbital thrusters, only has a single major port to connect to a junction node, and features only two solar panels rather than three. It features redundant life support and power generation, but relies on an attached Core module for orbital corrections.

Though experiments in orbital cultivation have been made before, F-1 is the first attempt to do so on a somewhat larger scale and practically so. The base of the system is aeroponic, which suspends the plant’s roots in a controlled but otherwise soilless environment where water and nutrient are delivered via aerosol mist. Previous international experiments have shown this method to lead to high productivity while minimizing the amount of water needed. As water is both rare and dangerous in space, it was a high priority.

Where the system differs, however, is the use of anthroponic methods. Anthroponics being a variant of hydroponics which use recycled human urine rather than expensive and complex mineral solution has shown to be just as effective. Applying this logic to aeroponics’ aerosol nutrients allows the transformation of natural waste by cosmonauts into a useful resource, with no need to bring in or store complex nutrient solutions from earth.

The first plant to be cultivated in Forschung-1 is the Chrysanthemum. The bulbous flower serves a dual purpose as it has been proven to be able to reduce the quantities of other pollutants in the air asides of CO2. Though not replacing artificial air filtration, it supplements it and does so in a very colorful way, which helps bolster morale by providing a homely environment that is less artificial and more natural. It is planned to transplant many new chrysanthemum into junction nodes and living areas for those purposes as the station grows.

Though most early experiments with microgravity cultivation focused on staple crops such as wheat and maize or vegetables such as lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes, these products need to be processed and cooked, which cannot be done on site. As such, it was decided to instead focus on the growing of a variety of berry shrubs, which regularly produce fruit which can be readily consumed with no additional processing whatsoever. These fruits include blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries, with the blackberry plants being kept on the central axis due to their relatively high growth height, and smaller plants occupying the sides of the modules.