NASA Discovers Lost Tomatoes on International Space Station
NASA recently found two dehydrated tomatoes that were lost on the International Space Station in 2022. The discovery highlights the effects of the onboard humidity on food and the importance of growing fresh food for future space missions.
Lost Tomatoes Found on Space Station
NASA recently released footage of two tiny tomatoes that were lost on the International Space Station in 2022. Astronaut Frank Rubio had harvested the tomatoes and temporarily stowed them in a Ziploc bag. However, the tomatoes floated away and were lost until now.
The tomatoes were found nearly a year later in a dehydrated and slightly squished state. NASA officials noted that despite some discoloration, there was no visible microbial or fungal growth on the tomatoes. The exact location of the find was not disclosed.
This chance discovery provides insight into how the 17% humidity onboard affects food in space and the importance of finding suitable solutions for growing plants in future space exploration missions.
The Purpose of Growing Food on the ISS
While the lost tomatoes were a lighthearted moment for the astronaut, the real purpose of growing food on the International Space Station is to practice techniques that could be used during future moon and Mars exploration.
NASA has multiple experiments focused on providing astronauts with fresh food. The VEG-05 experiment tested the production of dwarf tomatoes and other foods. Another experiment, the Planet Habitat-03, is studying multi-generational plant growth to assess genetic adaptations in plants grown in space.
These experiments are crucial for developing sustainable food systems for long-duration space missions.
Importance of Fresh Food in Space
The discovery of the lost tomatoes emphasizes the importance of growing fresh food for astronauts in space. Astronauts rely on a nutritious diet to maintain their health and well-being during their missions.
Fresh food not only provides essential nutrients, but it also has psychological benefits, as it offers a sense of comfort and variety in the astronauts' meals. By studying plant growth and food production in space, NASA aims to improve the quality and availability of fresh food for future space explorers.
