- Success Stories
- Space Science Application Support & Operations
Astronauts Conduct Latest Plant Water Management on the International Space Station
![Small bags containing various simulated plant root systems](https://dynamac.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Simulated-Plant-Kit-1024x768.jpg)
NASA recently performed the sixth iteration of the CSS-supported Plant Water Management experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). Plant Water Management is a series of technology demonstrations focused on developing a capability for crop irrigation and nutrient delivery in various microgravity environments. NASA’s ISS Research Program selected CSS through its Research, Engineering, Mission, Integration Services (REMIS) contract to serve as the prime contractor for performing all mission integration and operations for the plant water management system. CSS’ role as the integrator and project manager for this effort includes designing, testing and manifesting the hardware, processing all safety related items, coordinating procedures, turning over the hardware to NASA for delivery to the International Space Station, and supporting real-time experiment operations on ISS.
The experiment payload, which includes a hydroponic system powered by a pump, a variety of induced perturbations, and synthetic plants that mimic various plant root systems, has been delivered to the International Space Station where the crew of Boeing astronauts currently resides. The crew volunteered to support this science experiment testing the hydroponic process of growing plants in their intended microgravity environment.
![Woman in a laboratory holds a syringe injecting liquid into a system.](https://live-css-inc.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PWM-NASA-scientist-1024x683.jpg)
Although the astronauts volunteering to run the experiment admit they were first skeptical about running a hydroponic system with artificial plants, they then realized the value in testing the system. After running the operation for three days, they expressed amazement in the complex science needed to pump water through the system.
See More CSS Insights
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Rapid Reporting of a Close Call Incident
CSS Safety Protocols During a routine collection of waste, a container of white powder disintegrated without warning, causing the powder to spill and be expelled into the air. Thanks to CSS’s safety protocols and quick response, our Center for Disease Control waste disposal staff was able to assess the situation and respond to the chemical…
![](https://dynamac.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/NIEHS.jpg)
Quality Assurance Audit Reports
Since 1985 we’ve supported the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and have provided more than 1,600 quality assurance audit reports that the client has used to assess the quality of toxicology studies they sponsor. Over the last year our employee owners reviewed several studies involving per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) compounds, or “forever chemicals”,…
![](https://dynamac.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/iStock-518482209-740x434.jpg)
New Contract. Same Great Work.
We’re pleased to announce a new small business joint venture with Paul Bechtel & Associates (PB&A), which was awarded a 5-year contract to continue supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs. For 40 years our staff have supported EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs in the review and evaluation of pesticide data.…