Farming at zero gravity

In the near future, astronauts need not be limited to the usual space diet of vitamin pills and dehydrated dinners. If ever, they have Dr. Gary Stutte to thank for as reported by the New Zealand Press Association.

With the help of a NASA crew, the good doctor conducted a project that will eventually allow astronauts to grow their own food in space in an experiment that could impart useful findings to farmers on Earth.

Dr. Stutte’s research includes growing of crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, radishes, spinach, wheat and other salad vegetables. The secret is in the irrigation system that compensates for the absence of gravity, as well as, lack of light and water.

Everything floats up there," he says. "Water, for instance, forms beads and floats away, as does, soil. You also have to tell the plants which way is up. " Targeted lighting and tubes can help solve the problem.

Dr. Stutte puts so much hope in his research that it will provide answers to conventional agricultural challenges – especially experiments in hydroponics. He says that his design of an irrigation system with his team of 12 scientists will make growing crops in space a real possibility. In fact, the Russians had succeeded in growing wheat in space.

Galactic explorers believe that the farming technology will come in handy when man finally travels to distant planets someday. – PAJ News & Features