In January 2016, the astronaut of Nasa Scott Kelly shared an extraordinary image: a brilliant orange zinnia flourished aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This event represented a historical moment for cultivation in space, therefore showed that it is possible to grow flowers and, in the future, even more complex plants in microgravity.
The “Veggie” project: cultivating plants in space
Zinnia has been grown as part of the “Veggie” experiment, a growth system of plants installed on the ISS in 2014. This innovative system uses LED lights, radical mats and seed cushions to provide plants with the optimal conditions to grow even in the absence of gravity.
Veggie’s main objective is to offer fresh vegetables astronauts, essential for a balanced diet during long space missions. The study of plants in space also serves to understand how they adapt to such an extreme environment, opening the way to the cultivation of more complex vegetables, such as tomatoes, provided for future missions.
A challenge between mold and unexpected events
Making zinnia blossomed was not simple at all: the poor air circulation caused the appearance of mold, putting the entire experiment at risk. In addition, an unexpected space walk interrupted plants, leading to the loss of some of them.
Faced with these difficulties, Scott Kelly convinced Nasa to let him experience a new approach: instead of following a rigid irrigation program, he observed the plants and decided when and how much to water them according to their real needs. This most natural method proved to be successful and, despite the obstacles, Zinnia has managed to flourish.
A step forward towards space agriculture
This important milestone has shown that the cultivation of plants in space is possible, opening the way to the growth of more complex species. In fact, NASA researchers have already planned the cultivation of tomatoes and other edible plants for the next missions, with the aim of guaranteeing astronauts a source of fresh and sustainable food for future explorations, including missions on Mars.
Although Kelly’s zinnia was not the first flower never blossomed in space, it remains a symbol of progress and hope, showing that even far from the earth we can create an environment in which plant life can thrive.
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