Nasa astronauts to boldly grow first plants on the Moon
Artemis III mission will cultivate seeds to assess the potential for crop farming in partial gravity
NASA is to grow plants on the Moon for the first time when it sends humans back to the lunar surface.
The US space agency said that the Artemis III astronauts will deploy a series of growth chambers containing thale cress and duckweed to see how the plants fare in partial gravity, and cope with the rigours of space radiation. Red and green varieties of Brassica
rapa, known as Wisconsin fast plant, have also been chosen. The fast-growing relatives of cabbage and broccoli go from seed to plant to flower in 14 days.
The mission, which will be the first Moon landing since 1972, is due for launch in September 2026 and prepares the way for a permanent base to be established.
Growing crops on the lunar surface would mean less food would need to be shipped from Earth, while plants such as duckweed can also provide large amounts of oxygen.
The project, called Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora (Leaf ) is being devised by the Colorado-based Space Lab Technologies, which is also developing a Martian greenhouse for growing crops on Mars.
Christine Escobar, the vice-president of Space Lab and project leader, said: “This research will be a pivotal step toward understanding how we might use agriculture in space to support human crew, paving the way for sustained lunar exploration and even missions to Mars.”
Seeds will be planted in specially designed growth chambers which protect seedlings from excessive sunlight, radiation and the vacuum of space, while allowing observation of photosynthesis, growth and responses to stress.
Cress has been chosen for the experiment because its genetic code has been fully mapped, meaning scientists will be able to study any changes in its DNA.
Duckweed, the smallest flowering plant on Earth, is usually found in “carpets” on the surface of lakes and ponds. It is sphere-shaped and does not have any roots, stems or leaves, so is likely to be more resilient to conditions in space.
Also known as watermeal, the plant is widely eaten in Asia and is a good source of protein.
The Space Lab team said it hoped to “demonstrate the potential for sustained, off-planet propagation”, which Nasa said the project would help prepare for “long-duration human presence on the Moon, which will help prepare Nasa to send astronauts to Mars”.