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ISRO’s Space Farming Breakthrough: Growing Plants in Space

Why in the news?

ISRO’s success in growing Lobia (black-eyed peas) in space through its CROPS module marks a significant step towards sustainable food sources for long-term space missions, overcoming challenges like microgravity and radiation.

Why Grow Plants in Space?

• Sustainable food source: Plants can provide essential food for astronauts during long space missions to celestial bodies like Mars and the Moon, where resupplying is difficult.
• Oxygen production: Plants help keep spacecraft breathable by releasing oxygen during photosynthesis.
• Waste recycling: Plants can recycle carbon dioxide and organic waste, creating a closed-loop life support system.
• Mental well-being: Caring for plants reduces stress and improves astronauts’ mental health.

Challenges of Growing Plants in Space

• Microgravity: In microgravity, plant roots cannot grow downward, and nutrient delivery becomes difficult since water clings to surfaces instead of reaching the roots.
• Radiation and temperature: Plants need protection from high radiation levels and extreme temperature fluctuations that could damage their DNA and hinder growth.
• Light limitations: In deep space, sunlight is scarce, preventing photosynthesis and causing plants to consume more oxygen than they produce.

How Plants Are Grown in Space?

• Hydroponics and aeroponics: Plants are often grown hydroponically (using liquid nutrients) or aeroponically (without soil), reducing water usage and eliminating pesticides.
• ISRO’s CROPS module: ISRO sent Lobia (black-eyed peas) to space using the Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS). The module mimics Earth-like conditions with a soil-like medium, water, sunlight-mimicking LEDs, and regulated temperature.
• Ideal plants: Quick-growing, nutrient-rich plants like lettuce, spinach, kale, and peas are ideal for space farming.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times