Nearly one year after astronaut Frank Rubio accidentally lost sight of tomatoes while harvesting them for the XROOTS experiment, two rogue tomatoes have been recovered. This research, conducted on the International Space Station (ISS), focuses on growing food in space for long-term missions. The challenges and advances in space agriculture were highlighted by astronaut Frank Rubio’s experience of growing lost and dwarf tomatoes.
Astronaut Frank Rubio recently shared a lighthearted story about two tomatoes accidentally lost during the harvest for the XROOTS experiment. The experiment uses hydroponic and aeroponic techniques to grow plants without soil, providing a suitable solution for future space exploration missions. The two rogue tomatoes were found dehydrated, slightly crushed, and discolored in a plastic bag after nearly a year. The tomatoes will not be returned to Earth for analysis, but the space station’s plant research will continue alongside future missions.
In addition to food production, research on growing plants in space has psychological benefits for astronauts and improves their quality of life in space. The technology and scientific knowledge gained from this research will help humanity push the boundaries of space travel and improve plant cultivation for other important uses on Earth.
Source: scitechdaily.com
