Have you ever thought about eating vegetables that come from outer space? It might sound like science fiction, but it’s becoming a reality! Recently, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) tasted the first-ever space-grown lettuce. This special lettuce is called “Outredgeous” because of its red color.
NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Scott Kelly, along with Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, had the unique experience of eating fresh greens while floating 220 miles above Earth. This event marks a significant step toward creating self-sustaining systems in space. The lettuce was grown in microgravity over 35 days, showing that plants can thrive even without Earth’s gravity.
Growing plants in space is a bit challenging because plants are used to growing with gravity. However, they seem to adapt well to low and microgravity environments. The ISS uses a special system called VEGGIE, developed by Orbital Technologies in Madison, Wisconsin. This system provides the necessary light and nutrients for plants to grow in space.
The VEGGIE system uses red, blue, and green LED lights. The red and blue lights help the plants grow and stay healthy, while the green light makes the plants look more like the ones we see on Earth. The plants get their nutrients from a “pillow,” which is a small, single-use container designed to prevent microbial growth.
Before eating the space-grown lettuce, astronauts clean it with citric acid-based, food-safe wipes. Besides providing fresh food, space gardens can also boost astronauts’ moods. Dr. Gioia Massa, a scientist on the project, believes that taking care of a garden can make astronauts feel happier and more relaxed during long missions, which can be exhausting and lonely.
Growing plants without Earth’s soil is crucial for future missions to places like Mars. With limited resources and few chances for resupply, these missions need to be self-sufficient. Scott Kelly, one of the astronauts, called this experiment an important step toward achieving that goal.
Interestingly, the research on growing plants in space could also help us on Earth. The technologies used, such as LED lights, nutrient pillows, and efficient watering systems, could make farming more efficient. This means we could grow food in smaller spaces and use less energy.
And in case you’re wondering, Scott Kelly said the space lettuce tasted great!
Would you like to try space-grown lettuce? It’s exciting to think about how these innovations could change the way we grow and eat food, both in space and here on Earth. Keep exploring and learning about new discoveries, and who knows, maybe one day you’ll get to taste space veggies too!
Imagine you’re an astronaut on the ISS. Design and build a model of a space garden using materials like cardboard, LED lights, and small containers. Think about how you would provide light and nutrients to your plants. Share your model with the class and explain how it mimics the VEGGIE system used in space.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand how plants might grow in microgravity. Plant seeds in two containers: one upright and one on its side. Observe how the plants grow over a few weeks. Discuss how gravity affects plant growth and how this relates to growing plants in space.
Explore the effects of different light colors on plant growth. Use colored cellophane or filters to cover lamps and grow small plants under red, blue, and green lights. Record your observations and compare them to the role of LED lights in the VEGGIE system on the ISS.
Work in groups to design a self-sustaining space mission to Mars. Consider how you would grow food, recycle water, and maintain mental health. Present your mission plan to the class, highlighting how space gardening plays a crucial role in your design.
Participate in a debate about the importance of space gardening. One side will argue for its benefits in space exploration, while the other will focus on its potential impact on Earth. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments and engage in a lively discussion.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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I don’t know about you, but I never eat enough vegetables; they just don’t appeal to me. However, I might be more tempted to eat them if they came from outer space.
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Hey everyone, Julia here for DNews. Recently, astronauts aboard the International Space Station enjoyed the first bite of space-grown lettuce. It’s technically red lettuce, but they refer to it as “Outredgeous” lettuce.
NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Scott Kelly, along with Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, got to enjoy some leafy greens while orbiting 220 miles above Earth. This is considered an important step toward self-sustaining systems. NASA scientists grew the lettuce in microgravity over a period of thirty-five days.
This isn’t the first batch of plants grown in space. A study published in the journal BMC Plant Biology discussed small white flowers grown in space to see how well they would thrive without much gravity. Just last year, lettuce was grown and sent back to Earth for safety analysis. Once it received the green light, another round of plants was cultivated.
So, how do you grow plants in space? It’s a bit tricky since plants have evolved to grow against gravitational forces. However, they seem to do quite well in low and microgravity. The ISS uses the VEGGIE system developed by Orbital Technologies in Madison, Wisconsin. This system provides lighting and nutrients for a space garden.
This garden features red, blue, and green LEDs, with red and blue primarily for plant growth and health, while the green helps the plants look more like the lettuce we see on Earth. The plants receive their nutrients from a pillow, which can vary in size depending on the type of vegetables being grown. Each pillow is designed for single use to reduce the chance of microbial growth.
To clean the lettuce before consumption, astronauts like Scott Kelly use citric acid-based, food-safe wipes.
In addition to providing nutrients that aren’t freeze-dried, space gardens may offer psychological benefits. Dr. Gioia Massa, a scientist working on this project, suggests that tending to a garden could improve astronauts’ moods during extended missions, which can be tiring and lonely. Studies have shown that gardening and greenery can enhance positive feelings and relaxation.
Growing plants without Earth’s soil will be essential for long-term missions to places like Mars. With limited resources and few opportunities for resupply, expeditions will need to be self-sustaining. Scott Kelly referred to this experiment as a significant step in that direction.
Interestingly, this research could also benefit us here on Earth. Many of the technologies used—like LEDs, the nutrient pillows, and the watering system—could help us farm more efficiently, allowing us to grow food in smaller spaces and with less energy.
And just in case you were curious, Scott Kelly mentioned that the lettuce tasted great!
Speaking of innovations here on Earth, Intel creates breakthrough technologies that enhance amazing experiences. Having Intel Inside leads to better experiences outside, driving innovation with products like processors, wearables, and IoT devices.
So, would you eat space lettuce? Let us know in the comments below, and keep coming back to DNews for new episodes every day of the week.
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This version maintains the core information while removing any informal language or puns.
Vegetables – Edible plants or parts of plants that are often grown in gardens and used as food. – Carrots and broccoli are examples of vegetables that provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite area beyond Earth’s atmosphere where stars, planets, and other celestial bodies exist. – Scientists study how plants grow in space to understand how they might be cultivated on other planets.
Plants – Living organisms that typically grow in soil, have stems, leaves, and roots, and use sunlight to make their food through photosynthesis. – Plants play a crucial role in the ecosystem by producing oxygen and providing food for animals.
Gravity – The force that attracts objects toward the center of the Earth or any other physical body having mass. – Gravity affects how water and nutrients move through the soil to reach plant roots.
Nutrients – Substances that provide essential nourishment for growth and the maintenance of life. – Plants absorb nutrients from the soil, which help them grow strong and healthy.
Gardening – The practice of growing and cultivating plants as part of horticulture. – Gardening can be a fun way to learn about plant life cycles and the importance of taking care of the environment.
Astronauts – People trained to travel and work in space. – Astronauts conduct experiments on the International Space Station to learn how microgravity affects plant growth.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have allowed scientists to monitor plant health using drones and sensors.
Farming – The activity or business of growing crops and raising livestock. – Sustainable farming practices help protect the environment and ensure food security for future generations.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Research in environmental science helps us understand the impact of human activities on ecosystems.
