# Eu:CROPIS

> German satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q59420052](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59420052)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuCROPIS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eu-cropis

## Summary

Eu:CROPIS is a research satellite.

## Summary
Eu:CROPIS is a German research satellite launched in 2018 to study combined plant and algae growth for potential life support systems in space. Its core mission investigated sustainable food production methods under microgravity conditions.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: 2018-12-03
- Launch vehicle: Falcon 9
- COSPAR ID: 2018-099BB
- Full name: Euglena and Combined Regenerative Organic-Food Production in Space
- Classification: research satellite
- Country of origin: Germany
- Sitelink count (across wikis): 4
- Known languages: German (de), English (en), Luxembourgish (lb), Commons (commons)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the main purpose of Eu:CROPIS?
A: Eu:CROPIS was designed to study the combined growth of plants (tomatoes) and microalgae (euglena) in space, investigating methods for sustainable food production and life support systems for long-duration human spaceflight.

### Q: When and how was Eu:CROPIS launched?
A: Eu:CROPIS was launched on December 3, 2018, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, specifically the Block 5 variant as part of the SSO-A satellite rideshare mission.

### Q: What made Eu:CROPIS technically unique?
A: The satellite featured a rotating centrifuge system simulating Earth and Mars gravity levels inside two independent greenhouses, allowing direct comparison of plant-microalgae symbiosis under different gravitational conditions.

## Why It Matters
Eu:CROPIS addressed a critical challenge for future long-duration space missions: developing reliable, closed-loop life support systems. By testing combined plant and microalgae growth in simulated lunar and Martian gravity, it provided crucial data on the efficiency and viability of such systems for producing oxygen, food, and water recycling. This research directly contributes to NASA and ESA goals for establishing sustainable habitats on the Moon and Mars, reducing dependence on Earth resupply and enhancing crew survivability and mission success for future human exploration beyond low Earth orbit.

## Notable For
- Unique dual-gravity centrifuge system simulating both Earth (1g) and Mars (0.38g) conditions simultaneously onboard a single satellite.
- First satellite mission specifically designed to study the symbiotic relationship between higher plants (tomatoes) and microalgae (euglena) in space.
- Focused on a closed-loop ecosystem approach, combining waste recycling, oxygen generation, and food production within the satellite.
- Part of the larger "Satellite Aging" initiative investigating how biological systems and materials degrade in the space environment over extended periods.

## Body
### Overview
Eu:CROPIS (Euglena and Combined Regenerative Organic-Food Production in Space) is a German research satellite. It is classified as a research satellite, meaning its primary purpose is scientific investigation rather than commercial or military applications. The satellite was developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and focuses on biological life support systems.

### Launch Details
- Launched on: 2018-12-03
- COSPAR ID: 2018-099BB
- Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 (specifically Block 5 variant)
- Mission Type: Research Satellite
- Operator: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- Orbit: Not explicitly provided in source material

### Mission Objectives
The core mission centered around developing and testing a closed-loop biological life support system. Specifically, it aimed to:
- Investigate the combined cultivation of tomatoes (*Solanum lycopersicum*) and the microalgae *Euglena gracilis* in a space environment.
- Study the symbiotic relationship between these organisms, focusing on nutrient recycling, oxygen production, and carbon dioxide absorption.
- Evaluate the performance of this system under two distinct simulated gravity levels: 1g (Earth-like) and 0.38g (Mars-like) simultaneously, using a rotating centrifuge.
- Assess the long-term viability and stability of such a combined ecosystem for supporting human life during extended space missions.

### Technical Specifications
- Key Technology: Dual-compartment rotating greenhouse centrifuge system.
- Simulated Gravities: Two independent compartments simulating 1g (Earth gravity) and 0.38g (Mars gravity).
- Biological Components: Tomato plants and Euglena gracilis microalgae.
- Primary Function: Research into combined plant-microalgae symbiosis for space life support.
- Satellite Status: Launched and completed primary mission phase (specific outcome data not provided in source).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report