NASA astronaut grows potatoes on the International Space Station
NASA astronaut Don Pettit conducted an unusual experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) by growing potatoes in microgravity, naming the project "Spudnik," a play on the words "spud" (potato) and "Sputnik." Inspired by the plot of the movie and book "The Martian," where potatoes help the main character survive on Mars, Pettit created a lighted mini-greenhouse to grow the potatoes. Interestingly, in the absence of gravity, the potato plants grew their roots upwards instead of downwards, which Pettit humorously referred to as "wrong roots." Scientists view potatoes as a promising crop for future food systems on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, with Pettit suggesting that one day, potatoes could indeed be grown on Mars.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit conducted an unusual experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). He grew a potato in microgravity conditions and named it "Spudnik." Ixbt.com reports on this.
The name is a play on the English word "spud" (potato) and "Sputnik."
The astronaut noted that he was inspired by the plot of the movie and book "The Martian." In the work, potatoes help the main character survive on Mars.
Pettit decided to test how the tuber would behave in space.
For the experiment, he built a tiny greenhouse with lighting and secured the potato using adhesive tape. The vegetable was kept in a beverage container.
In the weightless environment, its sprouts began to develop in an unusual manner.
Unlike on Earth, the roots grew upward instead of downward. Pettit jokingly referred to them as "wrong-way roots."
Scientists view the potato as a promising crop for space.
It is nutritious, not finicky, and could be useful in creating food production systems on the Moon, Mars, and in deep space. "Perhaps one day potatoes will grow on Mars.
Until then, we will learn what we can in Earth orbit," Pettit stated.
Comments 0
…