A NASA mission will try to decipher whether it is possible to grow crops on the lunar surface

2024-04-18 22:42:00

Artemis III will mark the return of astronauts to the moon following more than 50 years (Illustrative Image Infobae)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing to attempt a historic feat in space exploration with its mission Artemis III. Not only will it mark the astronauts’ return to the Moon following more than 50 years, it will also conduct ground-breaking experiments. One of them is the growth of plants on the surface of the moon.

This ambitious project seeks not only to set foot on Earth’s satellite once more, but also to establish the foundations for future long-duration missions. And finally a sustainable human presence beyond our planet. The names of the selected astronauts are not yet known, but the agency confirmed that they will go on the spacecraft called Orion and they want to explore south pole of the moon.

Among the experiments selected by NASA, three scientific instruments stand out that seek to answer key questions regarding the viability of human life on the Moon. The Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS) is a high-precision seismometer to uncover the secrets of the lunar subsurface through the study of lunar earthquakes. Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora (LEAF), for its part, will experiment with growing plants under extreme conditions. And finally, the Lunar Dielectric Analyzer (LDA) will explore the presence of water ice using electrical currents. Noah PetroArtemis III project scientist, said: “We want Artemis to be sustainable.”

The choice of these instruments highlights the complexity and level of detail of the mission. LEMS will allow a deeper understanding of lunar geology, crucial for the construction of future bases. LDA targets the possible generation of rocket fuel and helping the LEAF with water. LEAF, which is like an advanced space terrarium that mimics lunar conditions, will be tasked with growing three types of plants: Wolffia (duck food), Brassica rapa (neighbor) y Arabidopsis thaliana (watercress). This experiment is crucial for developing life support methods in space.

This is what Arabidopsis thaliana looks like, one of the plants that LEAF will have

The LEAF space agency said in a statement: “It will be the first experiment to observe photosynthesis, growth and systemic stress responses of plants in space radiation and partial gravity.”

Anna-Lisa Paul, a horticultural scientist at the University of Florida, USA, grew in lunar soil obtained by the Apollo missions. However, the watercress planted by Paul hated the soil. They did not develop at normal times and suffered from stress. But Horticulture understands that LEAF will still be important and said: “Based on what has been discovered, the next step may be to help plants with specific difficulties. Design them so that they can adapt physiologically or select crop species that are naturally better suited to handle that particular stress response.”

The instruments still face development challenges to ensure functionality in the demanding lunar atmosphere. Its success might establish a milestone in space exploration and lay the foundation for long-term human habitation on the Moon. The Artemis III mission will explore the Moon’s south pole, an area of ​​interest due to its potential water deposits and almost constant access to solar energy. Petro said: “We will create a precedent that other missions must fulfill“.

Noah Petro, Artemis III scientist, said, “We’re going to set a precedent that other missions will have to follow.” Image/NASA.

Arabidopsis, a plant similar to a fern, was the first species to flourish outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Specifically, aboard the Soviet ship Salyut 7 in 1982. Since then progress has been significant. The International Space Station developed a small garden in 2014 where vegetables such as lettuce, mustard, seaweed and cabbage have been grown since then.

Years later, China also managed to germinate cotton seeds on the moon. It was through the probe Chang’e 4 in 2019, which marked the first growth of its kind on the natural satellite. Despite this background, the difference with the LEAF is that points to the processes that the plants undergo during development on the lunar surface.

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