Conceptual Technical Design of 3-Dimension Rotational Clinostat for Microgravity Simulation focused on Agro-Engineering Applications for Small Plants Cultivation
Ricardo Barreto, José Cornejo, Juan Carlos Suárez-Quispe, Carlos Nina Ochoa
Abstract
In this project, the conceptual design of an innovative mechanism for 3-Dimensional Clinostat (3 Degrees of Freedom – DOF) is proposed, and it has an innovative mechanism configuration to introduce advanced motion with a single-engine is shown in order to simulate microgravity conditions on small living beings such as plants or cell cultures. The simplification to a single engine could reduce the production cost and its size, resulting in a better low-cost homemade simulated microgravity compared with experiments during spaceflight using more sophisticated equipment, encouraging the new possibilities of research for scientists to explore this field. The further objective of this work is to use this machine to analyze the physiology and biochemical changes of cherry tomatoes with the aim to be a source of nutrition for astronauts in space. This research is a pioneering resource in Latin America for portable and laboratory usage in space agriculture engineering, developed by the Center for Space Emerging Technologies (C-SET).