Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
The Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Providence, Rhode Island has teamed up with Magnitude.io to bring the exciting and inspiring Space Experiment, ExoLab, to the Homeschool Community in Rhode Island. We are inviting you to be part of the Mission #7 in February 2020.
We have made the cost to participate with this experiment affortable. For $40, you will have your own Experiment Supply Kit and access to the Live Space Experiment and online lessons under the Rhode Island Museum. Payments will be managed by the Museum.
Please fill out the form below to register by the 10th of February, 2020. Please feel free to share this exciting learning opportunity with other Homeschooling Network. Click here to jump to the Registration Form.
If you have any question, please contact RI-museum@magnitude.io.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Why are we researching nitrogen fixing bacteria?
Introduction
The Effects of Microgravity on Microbial Nitrogen Fixation (Microbial Nitrogen Fixation) studies two species of soil-dwelling bacteria to understand the effects of microgravity on microbial nitrogen fixation. Azotobacter vinelandii, a free living strain, and Rhizobium leguminosarum, a symbiotic strain that infects the root systems of leguminous plants are the experimental organisms. Escherichia coli (not capable of nitrogen fixation) is included as a negative control.
As a follow-on to Flight 6, Magnitude.io will fly cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seedlings in a 3-tube 2u lab. These species of legumes, nodulate with R. leguminosarum and are important food crops. This species are also more heat tolerant than other leguminous food crops. By flying seedlings, we are able to select the best specimens for flight and reduce the need for cold stow & late load.
Two tubes of experimental seedlings (rhizobium inoculated) and one tube as a control seedlings (uninoculated) will be on orbit for 4-6 weeks. Approximately L -7 to -10 days pre-launch, seeds are “planted”. At L-3, the best seedlings are selected and loaded into the ExoLab. Classrooms will need to start at L-planting days to properly sync with the orbital lab.
This experiment further explores the potential of sustainably cropping in space. By assessing the viability of legumes and their ability to nodulate with Rhizobium in microgravity, we will make steps in evaluating if legumes could be potential food crops for human space exploration. If successful, other crops that are nitrogen intensive to grow will have a natural source of nitrogen through the production of excess fixed nitrogen by the Rhizobial nodules of legumes.
Finally, elevated temperature and carbon dioxide levels on the International Space Station will also provide insight into how this important symbiosis may be affected by climate change.
Space Application
Nitrogen fixation is an essential process of agricultural systems and a necessary component for translating agriculture to spaceflight environments. The results of this study further our understanding of how specific strains of bacteria can aid in the successful growth of crops in space.
Duration of Experiment
The experiment will launch on 2/11/2020 aboard NG-13 and will returns on 4/2/2020 aboard SpX-20. Following installation the International Space Station, it will run for 7 – 8 weeks and moved to cold storage until return on the Dragon Capsule.
Flight Schedule
| ExoLab # | Date | Resupply Mission | Experiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Early 2024 | SpX-30 | Medicago truncatula |
| 10 | NOV 2022 | SpX-26 | M. sativa, M. truncatula; R. leguminosarum |
| 9 | AUG 2021 | SpX-23 | Trifolium pratense; R. leguminosarum |
| 8 | FEB 2021 | NG-15 / Crew-1 | Trifolium pratense; R. leguminosarum |
| 7 | FEB 2020 | NG-13 / SpX-20 | Vigna unguiculata; R. leguminosarum |
| 6 | JUL 2019 | SpX-18 | Azotobacter, Rhizobia leguminosarum |
| 5 | DEC 2018 | SpX-16 | Amaranthus, B. rapa, P. oleracea, E. japonicum |
| 4 | JUL 2018 | SpX-15 | Amaranthus, B. rapa, P. oleracea, B. vulgaris |
| 3 | APR 2018 | SpX-14 | A. thaliana |
| 2 | OCT 2017 | OA-8 / Spx-13 | A. thaliana |
| 1 | FEB 2017 | SpX-10 | Arabidopsis thaliana |
Earth Application
Soil microflora are critical to converting nutrients into forms that can be absorbed and utilized by plants. The Microbial Nitrogen Fixation experiment informs our understanding of nitrogen fixation responses of selected microbes in microgravity, with potential to improve our understanding of the impact of climate change on soil productivity.
Classroom Protocols
Students will run ground analogs to the Flight 6 experiment in two parts, first with Rhizobia, followed by Azotobacter. Each trial will consist of four petri dishes. Students will document and share observations with the ExoLab network.
Classroom Involvement
Ground versions of the CubeLab, known as the ExoLab, are distributed in schools across the United States, Canada, South Africa and Germany. These schools collaborate, through the Magnitude.io platform, in the investigation of the effects of the microgravity environment. Students are able to compare the experiment onboard the International Space Station alongside their own classroom lab, as well as the labs in other schools in the network.
Sign up…
From "K to Gray", Magnitude.io can develop a bespoke interplanetary experience for your country, state, or district. Schedule time with us to discuss how we might help foster capabilities and skills for the next generation on Earth and Beyond for deployment in 2024/25. View some of our projects.