NASA To Start Growing Lettuce To Eat In Space From December

[Crisp]

NASA To Start Growing Lettuce To Eat In Space From December

 

NASA is about to start farming lettuce in space.

From December the American space agency will start producing its own, home-grown vegetables aboard the International Space Station.

The American space agency said that the new equipment will mark the first time that food will be grown for human consumption in orbit.

Modern Farmer reports that the six Romaine lettuce plants will be grown under pink LED lamps and will take about a month to be ready for eating.

 

"The Vegetable Production System (Veggie) is a deployable plant growth unit capable of producing salad-type crops to provide the crew with a palatable, nutritious, and safe source of fresh food and a tool to support relaxation and recreation. The Veggie provides lighting and nutrient delivery, but utilizes the cabin environment for temperature control and as a source of carbon dioxide to promote growth."

 

Due to concerns that the lettuce might pick up strange or unknown microbes from the unusual growing conditions, it will be heavily tested before being eaten. But if all goes well it should prove quite tasty - NASA says that growing in zero gravity doesn't necessarily mean it will look (or taste) any different than it does on Earth.

 

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[xdot.tk]

What? No broccoli?

[WAQT]

Great, one more step closer to living on Mars :)

[DocM]

Mm mm....Romaine :)

Love the stuff, and it's quite nutritious.

[Hum]

Just have Subway deliver.

[Draconian Guppy]

hydroponics ftw.

[webeagle12]

Yup.. 99 cent per pound with $2,000,000 delivery fee  :s

[Hum]

^ Use a space tether :p

[fusi0n]

interesting.. 

[Growled Member]

I bet they could sell the stuff down here for a fortune.