GROWING PLANTS IN SPACE

ISRO's CROPS module successfully germinated lobia seeds, which were sent to space on December 30. Space plants are crucial for long-term human space missions, providing a sustainable food source and essential nutrients. Challenges include microgravity, radiation, temperature fluctuations, and lack of light. Ideal plants include leafy greens, beans, peas, root vegetables, wheat, rice, and fruits.

Last Updated on 17th January, 2025
6 minutes, 46 seconds

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Copyright infringement not intended Picture Courtesy: NASA.GOV Context: ISRO's Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) successfully germinated lobia seeds, which were sent to space on December 30. Why Growing Plants in Space? Growing plants in space is important for supporting long-term human space missions, especially when launching to distant celestial bodies like Mars and the Moon. Plants serve as a sustainable food source, which offers fresh produce and essential nutrients that astronauts need for survival. Unlike multivitamins, which degrade over time, plants maintain their nutritional value. Plants play a vital role in recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen during photosynthesis, making the spacecraft’s environment breathable. This creates a closed-loop life support system, which is essential for long-term space missions. What are the major challenges faced when growing plants in space? The biggest challenge in growing plants in space is microgra...

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