Tomatosphere

We've signed up to take part in a neat experiment and we're really excited to start!

Tomatosphere is a project that investigates the effects of the space environment on the growth of food, which is a factor in any long-term space missions (eg. Mars). Thousands of classes across Canada and around the world have been taking part in this project, growing the tomato seeds and submitting their results.

Our tomato seeds have arrived (just today!) and we are to germinate and keep records of them then submit the results to the website which is in partner with The University of Guelph, The Canadian Space Agency and Agriculture Canada, probably not in that order, but Adrian and I went of UofG so it got priority! We won't know which packet of seeds was treated until we submit our results. One set of seeds will be "control" seeds and the others will have been "exposed to a simulation of aerocapture that seeds will experience when entering the atmosphere of Mars. Aerocapture is a spacecraft maneuver that reduces the high point of an elliptical orbit by entering the atmosphere at the low point, using drag to slow the space vehicle. This maneuver saves fuel compared to the direct use of a rocket engine. Aerobraking puts the seeds under pressure and may increase the temperatures to which the seeds are exposed."

Now to get out to the hardware store and pick up the supplies!