Apr 14, 2017

NASA Inducts Fertilizer Into Space Technology Hall of Fame

A partnership between Florikan ESA and NASA has led to the induction of the Florida-based company and its founder Ed Rosenthal into the Space Technology Hall of Fame.

The awards ceremony was April 6 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. NASA scientists used Florikan Controlled Release Fertilizer to support vegetable crops in space.

NASA helped in the testing and development of polymer coatings for time-release fertilizers for growing plants. The Florikan Controlled Release Fertilizer supplied by Rosenthal and his team will now help NASA grow vegetables at the International Space Station.

According to Ray Wheeler, a plant physiologist with NASA, Florikan’s fertilizer helped NASA in the same way the product would work for more terrestrial users.

“Controlled or time-release fertilizers have advantages for both commercial and home users,” said Wheeler. “With Florikan CRF, we now only require a single application, which can last for months. This technology avoids rapid release of nutrients typical for most conventional fertilizers, which can leach through the soil and even get into waterways.”