Since 2014, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has experimented with growing lettuce, brasica cabbage, and zinnia bushes in space.
At the end of 2021, the astronaut of the United States Aeronautics and Space Administration managed to harvest chilies twice using advanced technology that was assembled 50 years ago. Why do astronauts grow plants in space? The red and green peppers from New Mexico are stuck at a 45 degree d incline in Artificial Plant Habitat (APH) - 04, a sort of space terrarium the size of a microwave. Despite being set in slanted pots, the four chili plants stand tall with a load of dozens of shiny chilies hanging from them. The chili peppers that astronaut Mark Vandahei and his team harvested swirled around their heads until they were caught and pinned to a board to be photographed. This chili harvest in space takes place in October and November 2021.
In order to be harvested, there are 180 sensors that control and monitor the plant's temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, watering plants is done automatically. Lashelle Spencer, plant scientist at NASA's Kennedy Space Center says astronauts can also adjust the color and intensity of light, and how much moisture the plant roots get. All of these technologies are made for the growth of chili, vegetables, and fruit in outer space.
"Advanced plant habitats are the most complex plant growth systems in orbit today," said Spencer,
The astronauts' autumn harvest of chili peppers in space appears to provide data on the psychological benefits of growing vegetables onboard a spacecraft. As a result, the sensory experience of growing productive crops helps reduce the psychological effects of long-term space travel. Spencer adds, there's a certain emotional connection to food that doesn't come from a space kitchen that's intentionally dried to last. He said that the astronauts opened the doors of the APH terrarium every day to observe their vegetables with love, just like gardening at home. the.
Astronaut Vitamins and Nutrition
Astronauts' food for 100 days in space must be dried. Vitamins and minerals obtained from supplements lose their nutritional value as they are stored for longer. Spencer explains, creating conditions that accommodate the cultivation of healthy plants in space can help support astronauts' health on long-term missions. Even though it's spicy, he added, the astronauts enjoyed getting chili peppers with their fajita (a type of kebab from Mexico) of rehydrated beef, tomatoes, and artichokes. He added that previously, astronauts' meals were basically good. Shrimp cocktail, for example. However, astronauts miss the green and refreshing taste of healthy vegetables and fruits.
Paul Bosland of the Chile Peller Institute said, to accommodate health during the long journey of astronauts, his institution together with NASA cultivate varieties with certain characteristics. , tough in low pressure environments, and has three times more vitamin C than oranges to prevent scurvy. Of the 26 chili peppers harvested, 14 of the best fruits will remain on the International Space Station for consumption. The rest are wrapped in foil, sealed in Ziploc bags, then frozen at -80 degrees. The chilies will be opened upon landing back to earth in cargo capsules for study. Later, the chili from space will be investigated by NASA through microbiological, molecular, genetic, and nutritional analysis.
You must be logged in to post a comment.