Becoming a Space Farmer.
Introduction: How NASA Mirrors Earth’s Agricultural Practices on the ISS
It’s no secret that NASA has been working diligently to find ways to grow fresh food in space. What may surprise you is that their research for this work has actually been done on the International Space Station (ISS). The plant growth system on the ISS is called VEGGIE, which is able to provide adequate amounts of healthy fruits and vegetables for about six astronauts.
As NASA researches ways to grow fresh food in space, they are also looking at how they can use the ISS as a test ground for future settlements on Mars. The major differences between Earth agricultural practices and those on the ISS are light intensity and gravity.
How Vegetables on the ISS are Grown?
The astronauts on the ISS have a limited capacity to grow plants in the space. The plants on the ISS are grown in a plant pot with controlled environment which is kept at 13.5°C (56°F).
The astronauts also use hydroponics for plant growing, which does not require soil or water to grow. Hydroponics uses nutrient-rich water that is piped into the roots of the plants and then filtered back into basins below.
If you want to grow vegetables in a space station, the best produce for living in space is leafy greens. Leafy greens are rich in antioxidants which will help fight against radiation exposure, and they also have a lot of minerals and vitamins.
You can grow leafy greens by using an aeroponics system. Aeroponics systems use misting to moisten the plant’s roots instead of using a traditional dirt medium.
What is the Difference Between Earth Grown and Space Grown Produce?
The major difference between Earth-grown and space-grown produce is the lack of gravity in space. The gravity on earth provides enough force to pull water up towards the leaves, while there is no such force in space. Without the force of gravity, most plants would wilt and die. However, scientists have developed a way to mimic Earth’s gravity by using an artificial light source that is able to provide sufficient light for photosynthesis.
Scientists are hopeful that this project will be successful because it would allow people to grow their own food without needing any soil or sunlight.
The Importance of Healthy Food for Astronauts
- Space vegetables are necessary for astronauts to live healthy lives.
- The vegetables can help them maintain their weight, prevent bone loss, and help fight common space-induced ailments like muscle deterioration.
- It is also important that the produce be of high quality because of the limited storage space on a spacecraft.
Space Farming is the Future of Food Production
Space farming is an idea that has been around since the 1960s. The concept was conceived by Gerard O’Neill, a Princeton physicist. It is an alternative to traditional farming on Earth.
The major factor in space farming is the lack of gravity on the surface of planets or moons. This eliminates any need for expensive machinery or difficult soil preparation, while also eliminating any weeds, pests, and diseases.
Space farming also benefits from increased efficiency in managing water and oxygen levels while harvesting crops at higher rates than traditional methods of agriculture. With the help of plants and technology, it can provide us with an unlimited amount of produce and protein.
Space farming requires a lot of energy and water. While space farming can be pretty expensive at first, it will become more cost effective as time goes on. The benefits outweigh the risks when we look at the long term future.
Conclusion: Best Space Grown Produce for Eating at Home!
Space-grown produce may not be the best tasting, but it’s the healthiest alternative and will help you stay productive and healthy in your everyday life.This will be a great alternative suggesting and paving the first step to our settlement in space.With the advancement in Science let us look at what the future beholds!