| Astroculture Research Projects |
![Coming soon: colonisation of space! [Picture credit: Don Davis]](http://members.aol.com/sandycombs/o.jpg)
Growing plants on worlds beyond our own!
Article posted: February, 2003 Copyright © 2004 Abdul Ahad. All rights reserved. 
On a personal note, as I have near equal interests in both Gardening and Astronomy, "astroculture" is the missing link that ties both these interests together. Most importantly, I don't merely just want to take the "scientist's" claims about plant growth suitability in space, this project is my chance to note some results first hand. The findings will hopefully provide important clues to questions I have about building future long term human settlements on other planets and moons within our own solar system...or even maintaining self supporting colonies on long duration Interstellar voyages lasting thousands of years... something the space colonisation 'visionaries' seem to go on and on about. Could this all be just pure I.M.??? The research facility... 
This is a view of the new 50-square foot facility that houses AA Institute's astroculture research experiments. Some technical specifications of my astroculture facility's automated operation are here. The experiments... 
Experiment 1: Coriander growth! Yes... the first experiment in my new research facility will cater for the future spice needs of Asians in space! Let's face it, advanced astroculture research conducted aboard the US Space Shuttle (e.g. mission STS-95) and the International Space Station do NOT currently evaluate growth potential of ethnic foods! The controlled temperature environment... 
On a cold, snowy winter's night the outside air temperature may plummet several degrees below zero, but notice my research facility maintains temperatures within a comfortable zone to support plant growth. The above chart is based on telemetry data recorded from remote sensors stationed both within and outside the facility. The inspiration... 
... and here is the inspiration behind this project! Yes, Bruce Dern's role in the film "Silent Running" where he safeguards planet Earth's last remaining forests within domed enclosures sailing in the outer solar system. This was a significant source of inspiration behind my thinking. Credits and acknowledgments I wish to extend my appreciation here to a distinguished friend and colleague without whose input this project would have been difficult to initiate. Dr. "Smith" of Agent Smith Space Administration (ASSA) provided extensive technology support and advice, esp. in the field of remote sensing and automation solutions - without which this project would have been impossible to execute in the sub-zero conditions of a British winter. R E F E R E N C E S
Copyright © 2003 Abdul Ahad. All rights reserved.
"Silent Running" - Music & Movie Pictures The lyrics of the songs by Joan Baez go: "Heels of children ... like a forest is your ... Doomed in his innocence ..... Gather your children to ... tell them all they love will die, ... tell them it's not too late ... tell them to harvest and ..." "...Earth between my toes and ... that's what I was wearing when we ... Earth between my toes and a ... Wind upon his face and my ... that's what he was ...... Wind upon his face and my ..... Tears of sorrow ... running silent ... running silent ..." Sample music from here 
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