Beginning in 2003 the Flight Systems Implementation Branch (Code SCF) has performed on ISS three successful plant biology experiments(TROPI-1,2006;TROPI-2,2010; Plant Signaling, 2011) inside the European Space Agency’s (ESA) European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS).The next experiment which is currently in development is scheduled to launch to the ISS in early 2013. To develop the experiments, a ground test facility officially owned by ESA, similar to the EMCS on the ISS, has been located and used at Ames by the projects for years. This ground facility is key to performing the science and engineering testing necessary to develop these science payloads for ISS. On Thursday March 29, following a period of negotiations, the ground facility was formally turned over to NASA Ames by ESA. The Flight Systems Implementation Branch within the Space Biosciences division will be the custodian of this facility and will use it to perform ground studies associated with the Plant Signaling experiment in preparation for the 2013 launch.

Picture credit goes to David Heathcote of LM
In the picture from left to right: Paresh Bhavsar, Chief Flight Systems Implementation Branch, Sidney Sun, Chief Space Bioscience Division, Gjert Aanes, N-USOC Test Manager, Håkon Svare, the N-USOC Test Engineer, Cecilia Wigley, NASA Project Lead, Marianne Steele, LM Project Manager