There will soon be a 'green vegetable garden' on the International Space Station (ISS)

The prospect of astronauts no longer having to eat canned vegetables on a monthly, even annual mission may not be far off, because an experiment has just been successfully carried out on the Space Station. The International Pillar (ISS) has shown that green vegetables can not only grow under space conditions, but they can produce enough nutrients not inferior to those grown on Earth.

In fact, NASA has successfully grown red Romain lettuce on the ISS, of course they are completely clean, sterile and can be eaten directly. Currently, scientists plan to experimentally grow more green vegetables to improve astronauts' meals.

Each type of green vegetable will have different characteristics, but in general, the difficulties encountered in farming in the universe are mainly in the environment of zero gravity, seeds floating, no light and wind. , erratic temperatures, limited water supplies, making it as simple as watering your plants are not easy. To create conditions such as those grown on Earth, the researchers have built a super-modern mini-greenhouse system using "pillows" made from special fibers that are super light in structure. , persistence, stuffing soil, fertilizer and seeds inside. A water tank under the pillow will help keep the soil moist, while the LED light system will emit red and green light to ensure the photosynthesis capacity of the tree.

In addition to being nutritionally inferior to those grown on earth, these vegetables are extremely clean, free of pesticides or traces of bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. human disease.

In the long run, NASA's problem will be to improve the planting space, ensure its growth, and test new crops such as chili, pepper, cabbage, radishes, and peas. . to enhance the sustainability and self-sufficiency of green gardens on the ISS.

Fresh food has a positive impact on the health of astronauts, but the supply is difficult because the crew is not eligible to preserve them. In fact, after reaching fresh food supplies, astronauts must eat them almost immediately, so the solution would be to grow your own vegetables in the space to have enough fresh vegetables. Use during extended study trips.

In addition, greenery will also contribute to the generation of oxygen as well as the removal and fixation of carbon dioxide - a very important factor in closed systems such as ISS or moon / Mars research facilities in the future. hybrid.

NASA also plans to plant more flowers and other ornamental plants on the ISS, because their appearance will have a positive impact on the psychology of the astronauts - who must live in conditions. confined in space, helping them to have relaxing minutes after stressful working hours.