For the first time, astronauts on board the International Space Station take a bite of lettuce grown entirely in space. (Photo : Reuters)
Despite living in the International Space Station for more than a year, American astronaut Scott Kelly is still unable to figure out how to grow crops on his space garden. Kelly even made a joking reference to the popular fictional character Mark Watney from the movie "The Martian."
Kelley posted a tweet and a photo recently saying, "Our plants aren't looking too good. Would be a problem on Mars. I'm going to have to channel my inner Mark Watney."
Kelly's space garden is part of an experiment launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in order to determine the viability of growing Earth crops on space. The experiment is designated Veg-01 and aims to produce crops and help sustain astronauts with their food on space.
The plants are being grown on a specially created space lab called Veggie Facility. Crops are being grown on calcined clay and the first crops are primarily composed of species of lettuce.
Astronauts had their first space harvest of lettuce in August. The crops came from romaine seeds that was kept on the space station for 15 months before they were planted.
The first lettuce harvest was quite successful. Kelly along with another astronaut, Kjell Lindgren, dressed the lettuce with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil and said that the crops were "awesome," according to The New York Times.
Despite the success of the first space harvest, the latest batch of crops appear to be dying. Although facing possible failure, the study will provide vital information for space microbiologists and space food technologists, according to Ars Technica.
