Zinnia blooms in space, encouraging scientists to spread gardening in zero gravity
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New Delhi: It may be called science fiction to grow flowers or veggies in space. But now the dream turns into reality. Astronauts and scientists have been closely working together to grow food in space. It is not fun; rather, this work will help future missions to places like Mars.
If vegetables are grown in space, then astronauts don’t need to eat packaged food; they can use fresh veggies that will improve their health and even clean the air and water. Greenery in space is expected to bring comfort and remind astronauts of home.
Over the years, there have been several plant-growing experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). In 2016 a memorable moment occurred when NASA astronaut Scott Kelly posted a photo of a blooming flower in space. This was not the first flower to grow in the space; earlier, in 2012, astronaut Don Pettit grew a sunflower in plastic bags. Credit goes to NASA scientists and Kelly’s care for the bloom of the zinnia.