Grape Microbiota
CSS was selected to develop an experiment payload to examine the effect of microgravity throughout the various stages of wine fermentation.
CSS is at the forefront of life sciences R&D that support both Earth and Space science. We were selected to develop an experiment payload to examine the effect of microgravity throughout the various stages of fermentation. The viticulture, or winemaking, industry has been selectively growing vine cultivars with different traits for millennia. The micro flora that coexists with the plant and fruit may be one of the key factors that influence the final product. To better understand the role and impact of microbes, a key approach would be to observe and measure the potential phenotypic and genotypic differences of the micro flora when they are exposed to a unique and/or stressful environment. Use of the ISS provides a unique environmental stressor consistently for microbial activity to occur in the grape juice and demonstrate micro flora expression throughout the critical stages of fermentation. This research can be targeted toward improving universal crop production characteristics including yield, size, nutrition, etc. for a positive impact for use in space exploration as well as Earth application.
The primary objective of this investigation was to induce fermentation in microgravity conditions representing a unique environmental stressor to important microbes responsible for fermentation. We hypothesized that the growth kinetics would trend differently amongst the existing populations of microbes native to the grapes, and that different microbial types would proliferate and become the dominant species in the fermenting juices when exposed to environmental stressors, and that these differences in expression would have an impact on various elements of grape juice as it ferments.
Additional Projects
Development support of NOAA/NOA OceanReports
CSS’s Team helped create the OceanReports web-based tool that assists in the analysis of coastal and marine resources for commerce, development, and conservation.
Maintenance and Repair of Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), Space Florida
CSS served as the prime contractor performing comprehensive facilities management for the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) and accompanying facilities. Now called the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF), it is one of the longest runways in the world at 15,000 feet, serving NASA and private aviation and commercial science companies. CSS assisted Space Florida in transitioning…
Plant Water Management in Microgravity
CSS was selected by NASA through its REMIS contract to serve as payload developer, performing mission integration and operations to advance the fundamental research to a higher Technology Readiness Level.
Service Areas
Satellite Science & Environmental Intelligence
Helping create a more environmentally sustainable, weather-ready, and secure nation through application of earth observation data
Space Science Application Support & Operations
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Environmental Resource Assessment & Management
We apply science to address challenges affecting the nation’s natural resources.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
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Facilities Operations & Maintenance
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Human Health Risk Assessment
We help advance the understanding of chemical effects on people and the environment.
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