Why does the International Space Station insist on growing vegetables in space? NASA: Give astronauts key nutrients

Source: Global Times

According to the Hindu newspaper reported on November 1, American astronauts on the International Space Station finally tasted the first peppers they planted in space. NASA had earlier said the plant planting experiment was one of the most complex space experiments to date.

U.S. astronaut Megan MacArthur posted the first photo of green peppers grown in space on social media. "After filling out the last batch of experimental data, she harvested the peppers and combined them with other ingredients to make 'the best space tacos to date.'"

NASA revealed that astronauts have grown and eaten 10 different crops on the International Space Station since 2015, but "peppers are the first plant plants planted on the International Space Station that will blossom and bear fruit."

Why is the International Space Station keen to plant plants in space? NASA revealed that deep space missions, including Mars exploration, could last for months or even years, and while astronauts can eat sealed food, long-term storage can lead to a decline in key nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin K in foods. NASA said that the reason why peppers were selected for cultivation this time is because they contain a variety of key nutrients, especially vitamin C. "Chili peppers are self-pollinating, and you only need to shake the flowers to complete the pollination. And chili peppers also make astronauts' diets more delicious. ”

But growing chili peppers in space is not easy. The Kennedy Space Center team carefully selected and disinfected 48 pepper seeds, which were placed in a specialized device containing clay that holds the roots of the plants and specially formulated fertilizers.