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Space-grown lettuce might be more nutritious than its earth-grown equivalent - Universal Sci
Currently, astronauts aboard the international space station live on sterilized processed food supplies. The main reason behind this is that rations have to last for a long time as it is not possible to supply the space station with fresh food on a regular basis.
If we want fresh food in space, we will have to grow it ourselves. Being able to produce or grow food in spaceships will be beneficial, especially if we aim to survive in space for more extended periods of time, like on a journey to Mars. A recent study published in the science journal Frontiers in Plant Science reports on the successful cultivation of a salad crop. It turns out that space-grown lettuce, in spite of the fact that it is grown in a zero-gravity environment, is just as nutritious as earth-grown salad, if not better.
From 2014 to 2016, astronauts tried to grow lettuce on the ISS using special sterilized seeds inside vegetable production systems, which were specifically designed for the occasion. The crops grew undisturbed inside growth chambers for more than a month. The resulting romaine lettuce came out very similar to its earth-grown equals. Recently scientists thoroughly analyzed these space-grown lettuces once more. The results were very promising.
Currently, astronauts aboard the international space station live on sterilized processed food supplies. The main reason behind this is that rations have to last for a long time as it is not possible to supply the space station with fresh food on a regular basis.
If we want fresh food in space, we will have to grow it ourselves. Being able to produce or grow food in spaceships will be beneficial, especially if we aim to survive in space for more extended periods of time, like on a journey to Mars. A recent study published in the science journal Frontiers in Plant Science reports on the successful cultivation of a salad crop. It turns out that space-grown lettuce, in spite of the fact that it is grown in a zero-gravity environment, is just as nutritious as earth-grown salad, if not better.
From 2014 to 2016, astronauts tried to grow lettuce on the ISS using special sterilized seeds inside vegetable production systems, which were specifically designed for the occasion. The crops grew undisturbed inside growth chambers for more than a month. The resulting romaine lettuce came out very similar to its earth-grown equals. Recently scientists thoroughly analyzed these space-grown lettuces once more. The results were very promising.