Dr. Robert Morrow Awarded AIAA Jeffries Aerospace Medicine and Life Sciences Research Award

Dr. Robert Morrow has been honored with the AIAA Jeffries Aerospace Medicine and Life Sciences Research Award, recognizing his 38-year career in advancing plant growth technologies for space missions. His work spans critical systems like the Biomass Production System, Veggie, XROOTS, and the Advanced Plant Habitat, which have enabled the cultivation of over 15 plant varieties aboard the International Space Station. These innovations have not only supported space-based agriculture but also translated into advancements for Earth-based farming practices.

Among his notable achievements, Dr. Morrow played a pivotal role in developing LED lighting for plant growth, co-authoring the original patent while at the University of Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics. His research has led to six U.S. patents, with applications extending to marine aquarium lighting systems. His early work on controlled environment injuries in solanaceous plants and Astroculture payloads further underscored his contributions to both space and terrestrial agriculture.

The recent XROOTS flight demonstration, led by Dr. Morrow, demonstrated soilless aeroponic plant growth in microgravity, leveraging NASA-sponsored fluid physics studies. This experiment advanced root zone management techniques for future space missions. Dr. Morrow’s scientific leadership has also contributed to proposals, technical reports, and publications, including 100 papers and 56 technical presentations, reflecting his extensive expertise in aerospace plant science.

Beyond low Earth orbit, Dr. Morrow is developing bioregenerative life support systems for long-duration interplanetary missions, addressing oxygen production, CO2 removal, water recycling, and fresh food supply. His work includes investigating Dream Chaser for biology research missions and planning AstroGarden implementations for future commercial space stations in LEO and lunar orbit.