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Space Plants Lab

Space Plants Lab

Lunar Plant Biology

First Plants grown in Lunar Regolith - Here's their story:

Plants grown in Apollo lunar regolith present stress-associated transcriptomes that inform prospects for lunar exploration.

You may not be aware, but plants played a large role in early human spaceflight, particularly in the study of samples of lunar soils brought back by the Apollo missions. We did an extensive study of the plant studies of the Apollo era, and this link will take you to that study and the original references behind the study.

Ferl RJ, Paul A-L (2010) Lunar Plant Biology - A Review the Apollo Era. Astrobiology 10: 261-74.

Lunar Receiving Laboratory

  1. McLane, J.C., Jr., King, E.A., Jr., Flory, D.A., Richardson, K.A., Dawson, J.P., Kemmerer, W.W. and Wooley, B.C. (1967) Lunar Receiving Laboratory. Science 155: 525-529.
    • Lunar Receiving Laboratory
      • General description of the intent and construction of the LRL. "Unique requirements for handling lunar samples and quarantining for back- contamination are provided."
    • See related topics and documents
  2. Kemmerer, W.W., Jr., Mason, J.A. and Wooley, B.C. (1969) Physical, Chemical, and Biological Activities at the Lunar Receiving Laboratory. BioScience 19: 712-715.
  3. Mangus, S. and Larsen, W. (2004) Lunar Receiving Laboratory Project History. edited, NASA, 76.
  4. Walkinshaw, C.H., Wooley, B.C. and Bozarth, G.A. (1973) Technology Advancements in the Growth of Germfree Plants at the Manned Spacecraft Center. Germfree Research: 635-643.
    • Technology Advancements in the Growth of Germfree Plants at the Manned Spacecraft Center