A Spicy Space Station Leads to A Big Leap in Research
Green Chile peppers have made their debut in the International Space Station (ISS)! The seeds were provided by a company called NuMex "Improved Española". These peppers were a part of a study to see what foods grow in space. NASA says the first peppers were harvested on Friday, October 29th 2021.
Female astronaut, Megan McArthur, tweeted: "Finally, I made my best space tacos yet: fajita beef, rehydrated tomatoes & artichokes, and HATCH CHILE," on October 29th.
Matt Romeyn, investigator for NASA's Planet Habitat-04 experiment, says that “The challenge is the ability to feed crews in low-Earth orbit, and then to sustain explorers during future missions beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations including the Moon, as part of the Artemis program, and eventually to Mars,”. So the goal here is clear!
Resupply rockets are expensive, they burn millions of dollars in fuel, and require high end technology that can break the bank! It is much more practical for astronauts to grow their own food in space so that they can have a continuous supply of sustenance throughout their journey. Not to mention, fresh veggies and fruits are the BEST type of meal for a hard working astronaut.
This achievement is admirable. There is indeed a new life form in space! Not to mention, that taco looks out of this world ;).
Stay Curious :)
-Bailley G
Sources From Today:
https://www.cnet.com/news/nasa-astronauts-harvest-green-chile-on-iss-make-space-tacos/
https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-grew-chili-peppers-in-space-astronaut-used-them-tacos-2021-11
https://nypost.com/2021/11/02/nasa-astronauts-pick-peppers-in-space-for-the-first-time-on-iss/