SpaceX launches tomato seeds and other supplies to International Space Station
Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the American spacecraft manufacturer, launcher, and satellite communications centre that was established in 2002 with the aim of colonising Mars has constantly been in collaboration with the US space agency NASA to pioneer ground-breaking space missions. So far, it has helped in multiple orbital rocket launches such as Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and the entire Dragon fleet while developing the satellite internet constellation called Starlink that provides commercial internet service to the outer space as well as the Earth.
Now, SpaceX is back to offer its services to earthlings based out of the International Space Station (ISS) and has recently sent fresh load of supplies from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida after its first attempt to do so (in 2022) failed, earlier last month, due to bad weather. As per the US space agency, SpaceX’s Dragon cargo spacecraft is carrying over 7700 pounds of research hardware (including a pair of new solar arrays) and health supplies (such as Moon Microscope kit) to the ISS. For those clueless, the Moon Microscope kit is a portable handheld microscope that enables astronauts to collect and send blood sample images to doctors on the ground who help with treatments.
But that’s not all. What’s fascinating here is that, apart from technical amenities, Dragon spacecraft has also hoarded dwarf tomato seeds, ice creams, spicy green beans, cranberry apple desserts, pumpkin pies and candy corns.
Wondering why SpaceX is suddenly sending feast supplies to ISS? Well, it’s part of the Thanksgiving offering for the astronauts away from home on the space station. But that still doesn’t answer the question about tomato seeds. Well, as it turns out, researchers at ISS have been testing a plant growth unit called Veggie and have recently managed to successfully grow a variety of leafy greens. And now, they are ready for the next project deemed as Veg-05 that focuses on growing dwarf tomatoes; hence the tomato seeds are on their way!
Okay, but why exactly tomatoes? Because it’s a key component for astronaut’s diet living in the outer space for 6 months and thriving mostly on pre-packaged meals. Thus, it has become imperative to grow nutritional vegetables such as lettuce, radishes and chilis, that have already been successful. Now, with tomatoes on the list, they can easily make up a salad offering themselves a source of fresh food.
But that isn’t all either. Turns out, dwarf tomatoes will also be used for experiments. One set will be harvested on ISS (inside plant pillows) and the other on Earth in a controlled environment. Then data collected will be compared to measure the effects of zero gravity on tomato growth. How cool is that! There’s also another goal: to figure out how to keep the thirsty plants properly watered without the risk of overwatering. What a challenge! In fact, it planted now, the seeds are estimated to grow into full tomatoes by spring 2023. Once grown, they will also have trial taste runs, wherein the astronauts will experiment with the flavour, aroma, juiciness and texture of the tomatoes by exposing them to separate light treatments. Moreover, half of each tomato grown will be frozen and sent back to Earth for further analysis.
Now, coming to the other important part of things, the pair of solar arrays is scheduled for installation outside the ISS during the planned spacewalks on 29th November and 3rd December. Guess how they will benefit the floating laboratory? By giving a much-needed power boost.
It’s interesting to note that SpaceX has launched over two dozen resupply missions to the space station in the last ten years as part of its multi-billion-dollar deal with NASA. And this latest launch comes amidst its busiest year, with nearly 50 operations in place, that includes two astronaut missions.
Next up, SpaceX and NASA are planning to grow tomatoes on the Moon, followed by other larger crops.