Everyone wants to go to space. But it's not that easy! You have to get used to the burden-free state there. Survival is not possible even with special equipment and clothing. If it is so difficult for humans, what about the condition of the plants there? Let's find out.
We know that there must be enough water, air and sunlight for plants to grow on earth! In addition to these, gravity is also essential. Each part of the plant responds differently to gravity. Gravity is the key for fingers to go into the ground, stems to grow upwards, branches to grow sideways. This effect is called gravitrophism.
Impossible in space?
Everything needed to grow plants can be arranged in the spaceship. But gravity is very difficult to accommodate. As the plant fingers grow, they expand. Even water droplets float in the air in a weightless state. In that case, the water poured on the plants is also moving here and there.
Raised there!
How about growing plants in spaceships? The scientists came up with the idea. That's how the 'Veggie' system was born. With this, the plants are cultivated with great vigor. That is
• First the seeds are planted in a pillow-like device called plant pillows. It contains the soil fertilizers needed for the seed to grow.
• Plant pillows are surrounded by plastic wall construction. This is called 'bellows enclosure'.
• This device provides gases and heat that plants need to grow. Not only that! Adaptation to plant growth, Its walls expand too!
• Sufficient water for plants at regular intervals a system called reservoir works to provide at the top of the bellon enclosure are LED bulbs that emit red, blue, and green colors. Through these, the plants are provided with the light they need.
• Fertilizers needed by plants are at the bottom of the seed and light at the top, just like on our land, plants grow upright in vegetables.
• Plant pillows are surrounded by plastic wall construction. This is called 'bellows enclosure'.
• This device provides gases and heat that plants need to grow. Not only that! Adaptation to plant growth, Its walls expand too!
• Sufficient water for plants at regular intervals a system called reservoir works to provide at the top of the bellon enclosure are LED bulbs that emit red, blue, and green colors. Through these, the plants are provided with the light they need.
• Fertilizers needed by plants are at the bottom of the seed and light at the top, just like on our land, plants grow upright in vegetables.
The effort did not stop
As early as 1940, research was done on the growth of plants in space. Seeds were sent into the atmosphere there. The seeds that came back from space germinated well. In 1971, the Apollo 14 spacecraft carried 500 seeds into the lunar atmosphere. After they returned, they were planted in different places in America. Most of these seeds do not germinate. Lived for years. Also. These are called moon trees.
Dinner with Veggies
As expected, the veggie experiment was a success. 'In 2015, the astronauts tasted the asparagus grown at the Space Research Centre. Preparing to grow onions and basil. They are trying to find out the effects of changing the LED lights and fertilizers provided to the plants.
Many profits!
Mankind is preparing for long journeys in space. This plant breeding is useful for that. Not only that! In spaceships it is possible to eat fresh vegetables instead of artificial food. Moreover, if you see green plants in front of your eyes, you will not feel that you are far away from the earth.
Plants are being grown in space as well. It seems that the day is coming when we will taste the curries there!
