Greenery on Moon soon? NASA to put plants on lunar surface by 2026
Moon's Far Side
The green existence of plants of all kinds — herbs, shrubs and trees — have facilitated the way humanity has come to define the nature of life on our planet Earth. Can you imagine humanity's existence on Earth without trees?
It is this defining nature of humanity's existence on Earth that is pushing the scientists to explore if or not plants can be grown on our nearest celestial object, our Earth's own Moon.
The Artemis III mission of NASA will also take the technology to grow plants on the lunar surface.
The ambitious project, scheduled for launch in 2026, will also take with it the LEAF, which stands for Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora (LEAF). The mission will test growing plants in a mini lunar greenhouse. The LEAF project, if successful, will mark a brand new chapter in the history of space exploration.
NASA Artemis III mission: About 'LEAF' project
LEAF has been developed by Colorado-based Space Lab Technologies. It is among three experiments chosen by NASA to be sent to Moon during the mission's 2026 leg.
LEAF on Moon: Which plants will be on lunar surface?
The plants include thale cress, duckweed, and Brassica rapa. They will be put in a protected growth chamber in order to ensure that their existence and subsequent growth is not impacted by the conditions on and beyond the lunar surface.
What does it mean?
NASA has dubbed it as an important step to solve the defining challenge in lunar and interplanetary exploration within and beyond our Solar System.
But why only these plants?
Yes, NASA isn't taking a mango or apple plantlet on Moon. There's a reason for it. Over the course of evolution of life forms on our planet, the conventional crop plants — just like humans — have become exclusive to Earth due to special life-supporting conditions available on our planet blue.
But among the selected hoard of plants, for instance, duckweed is a miracle plant that is resistant to most challenges. It carries a greater protein content than most food crops and is dubbed as the desired food crop for future space colonies.
The Brassica rapa is a fast-growing cousin of cabbage and broccoli and has a higher chance than ever of successful space habitats away from Earth.
Also watch |NASA's Artemis mission to take an international astronaut to Lunar Space
Experiments conducted on the International Space Station have already provided a foundation for this cutting-edge mission.
(With inputs from agencies)