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Aeroponic Chambers
🕑 Added 2021-03-27 04:17:01 +0000 UTCThese stackable chambers are made from reinforced glass and used to grow the Tabitha's crew's various fresh veggies. The water inlets and outlets feed into and from the algae tanks where some fish are also kept.
It has a single, rotating pole in the center with plant receptacles where seedlings are planted. These receptacles are used to keep the plant in place, allowing space for root growth and ensuring that the plant doesn't accidentally topple and lose light exposure.
The entire environment is self-contained, and pressure, lighting, humidity, and temperature can be controlled and monitored from the base's touch panels. (The glass can self-tint to prevent over-exposing plants with high light sensitivity.) There is minimal moisture waste, and the whole system is optimized for maximum growth and yield.
Using the math we explored from this earlier post about the UIC Tabitha's food requirements, only 18m² is required to feed all crew members if the ship is at full capacity. Since you will probably die from insanity if you only had sweet potatoes to eat for an entire year, the Aeroponic chambers are also used to grow regular potatoes and tomatoes to supplement the protein intake from rodents and poultry.
Lebeny, the chief botanist, has discretion to change up the scheduled crop rotations and has been know to commission the growth of lettuce, radishes, and even strawberries when any surplus aeroponic chambers become available.
