CHALLENGER'S LOST LESSONS - ER - NASA

28Editor’s Interpretation Based on Bob Mayfield’s DescriptionEditor’s sketch based on Mayfield’s description of a singlehydroponics chamberHypothesis:The explanation written by Bob Mayfield is an excellentsummary of what Christa might have demonstrated aboardChallenger using the hydroponics chamber. The class projectwhich follows replicates the on-orbit experiment with materialsreadily obtainable from local stores. After constructing the sixchambers, the six mung seeds are treated exactly the same way BobMayfield describes them being treated prior to launch and during theone week mission.By continuing the experiment for a period of seven days, withmisting of chamber six once per day, Christa’s lost hydroponicschamber experiment may be performed in the classroom. Above isa sketch of the Challenger experiment based on the previous photosand Bob Mayfield’s description.Because the class experiment is performed in a one-genvironment, the apparatus is much simplified from that seen above.The volume above the emerging plant stems need not be enclosed,