Growing vegetables in space
Journalist Alan Yuhas describes how astronauts enjoyed eating a vegetable they grew themselves.
For the first time in the history of space exploration, astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) have eaten a fresh vegetable they have grown themselves. The aim of the experiment, which was promoted by America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), was to make spacecraft on longer missions more self-sustaining. The three American crew members of Expedition 44 harvested their space-grown romaine lettuces several days ago. [... 1] The verdict of astronaut Scott Kelly was that they "tasted good – kind of like arugula."
The intention behind the experiment, officially called Veg-01, but nicknamed Veggie, was to improve the methods needed to grow plants in orbit. [... 2] The ability to grow food is regarded as critical to future long-duration spaceflight. According to NASA scientist Tabatha Thompson, "... this is an important experiment not just for life on the space station, but also for future deep-space missions on our journey to Mars."
NASA performed an earlier version of the Veggie experiment last year. [... 3] According to NASA spokesperson Stephanie Schierholz, the plants were "as clean, if not cleaner" than grocery store fare. This encouraged NASA scientists to conduct a further experiment. They therefore included on board Expedition 44 a selection of seeds and germination equipment.
Schierholz believes this latest experiment will help NASA break free from the resupply flights which, although essential, impose a number of restrictions. [... 4] Astronauts on the ISS usually have about six months’ worth of food at a given time. Gardens, however, could make a spacecraft relatively self-sustaining. "The more independent we can get from the need to resupply, the greater we can explore," she says.
A further advantage is that fresh foods provide valuable nutritional benefits for astronauts who otherwise rely on packaged goods that are designed to endure the stressful conditions of space. [... 5] According to Ray Wheeler, a NASA researcher, having fresh food like this available could even help to protect astronauts against radiation.
There is also a psychological benefit. Astronauts do not have a grocery store they can call into to get fresh food, and the vegetables grown on board are a welcome reminder of unpackaged food from home. [... 6] This benefit was confirmed in a recent statement by NASA: "The farther and longer humans travel into space, the greater the need to be able to grow plants for food and psychological benefits."
