Photo by Carrie Paterson (California State University) courtesy of National Geographic
As NASA looks toward Mars as the next Astronaut destination, officials are strongly advocating for greenhouses to play an important psychological and practical role in the lives of astronauts.
Greenhouses would allow astronauts to add fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet. This is not only good for their health, but an article in a recent issue of Acta Astronautica, researchers say tending to the plants will also act as a stress release, and big boost of morale. In an atmosphere that is all machines, computers, and cables, the greenery of plants adds an element of peace and relaxation to their space.
To read more about greenhouses in space, visit the original story on National Geographic.
As a gardner, this story really appealed to me. I imagine the quarters of the ISS or any other space habitat to be cramped, gray, overwhelming, and overall very stressful and depressing. I need a lot of sunlight and outside time, so I’m not sure if being an astronaut is really the right career path for me, but the idea of having plants makes it much more appealing. There is definitely a sense of gratification and excitement to see the seeds you have planted grow and flourish. Also, nothing tastes better than fresh veggies from the garden that you started with your own hands. I couldn’t imagine anything better for our astronauts than enjoying a taste of home and bringing back a sense of normalcy into their lives.
MadSciMag 