Ewweb 1418 1 Studyfindsle595
Ewweb 1418 1 Studyfindsle595
Ewweb 1418 1 Studyfindsle595
Ewweb 1418 1 Studyfindsle595
Ewweb 1418 1 Studyfindsle595

LEDs Recommended for Space Veggies

March 29, 2016
Researchers report that LED lights provide improved energy efficiency and production for growing food crops in space.

In case you're planning a garden far from home and that little plot in the country just isn't far enough... Science website Phys.org reported on recently published research showing that using LED lighting can help astronauts grow crops in space. The research by Philips LIghting and the University of Arizona involved building a prototype lunar greenhouse.

Philips Lighting has collaborated with The University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) to test energy efficient ways to grow food that will help feed astronauts on missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. A recent study, conducted over a nine week period, found that replacing water-cooled high-pressure sodium (HPS) systems with energy efficient LED lighting from Philips in a prototype lunar greenhouse resulted in an increased amount of high-quality edible lettuce while dramatically improving operational efficiency and use of resources. Lettuce grown under Philips LED modules achieved up to 54 grams/kWh of fresh weight, edible lettuce compared to lettuce grown under a high pressure sodium system which achieved only 24 grams/kWh of fresh weight, edible lettuce. This represents an energy savings of 56%.

Here's the full release: Study finds LED lights provide improved energy efficiency and production for growing food crops in space