NASA has begun experiments with growing tomatoes in space. NASA launched this experiment, called VEG-05, on the International Space Station. NASA aims to solve the fresh food problem by growing tomatoes in space. If this experiment is successful, NASA will teach astronauts to grow their own food (at least to some extent).
Originally, the purpose of this experiment, called Veg-05, was to grow small tomatoes in space. They will perform the experiment in two different lighting conditions. One test will be in space and another will simultaneously create similar conditions on Earth. And to begin this experiment, NASA sent tomato seeds into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on November 26. Members of NASA's Expedition 68 began preparations for this new experiment on December 1.
NASA flight engineer Nicole Mann planting these tomatoes. Once the tomatoes sprout, the astronauts will examine the tomatoes and compare them for nutritional value, bacterial count and other health-related factors. This test will be conducted both subjectively and scientifically. NASA plans to test the taste, texture and juice of tomatoes by tasting them.
NASA started this test with a future long-duration space mission in mind. NASA dreams of conducting missions to Mars in the future. From this dream, NASA strives to overcome the current limitations. Repeatedly separating and delivering food to astronauts using rockets is both time-consuming and expensive.
Food stored for a long time is also not beneficial to health. A mission to Mars will last at least 2-3 years, during which the nutritional value of food will gradually decrease. So if this test is successful, NASA will find a way to provide fresh and nutritious food to future astronauts.
NASA has previously conducted four other experiments, Veg-01 through Veg-04, to grow different types of vegetables in space. Veg-01 and Veg-02 were lettuce leaf trials, Veg-03 and Veg-04 were both cabbage and lettuce trials. But NASA has never been able to grow vegetables suitable for human consumption. But last year, NASA managed to grow some peppers in space. As a follow up, NASA wants to grow tomatoes.
NASA hopes that in the future, these vegetables and grains grown in space will be more nutritious than vegetables and grains grown on Earth. To prove this, scientists earlier this year showed off genetically modified lettuce leaves that could be grown in space. These lettuces are like normal lettuces, but genetically engineered to adapt to zero gravity.
NASA hopes that not only will fresh food be available in space in the future, but the NASA crew will also be mentally fit by growing these vegetables. Experts believe that the success of this test will pave the way for deep space travel.
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