astronauts

NASA puts astronauts from the International Space Station on evacuation alert

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It could have been just another day of work aboard the International Space Station, but the situation has taken a delicate turn. NASA has put in evacuation alert to several astronauts after an air leak in the Russian part of the orbital laboratory worsened, prompting the agency to order them to take precautionary shelter in a docked spacecraft. The order came from NASA mission control at 9:04 a.m., East Coast time of the United States (3:04 p.m. Spanish peninsular time). Several crew members were instructed to enter the ship SpaceX Crew Dragon and put on their corresponding space suits in case the situation led to an emergency evacuation. There are currently seven crew members on the ISS, but the preventive measure does not affect all of them. Bethany Stevens, of the NASA communications team, explains that The order reaches Americans Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams, from NASA; to the French Sophie Adenot, from the European Space Agency, and to the Russian Andrey Fedyaev, from Roscosmos. The leak is located in a very specific area of ​​the Russian segment: the Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK. According to Stevens, that part of the station has been showing cracks and leaks for some time, an issue that NASA has closely monitored and that Roscosmos has tried to contain until now with operational measures and partial repairs. In development. Images | POT In Xataka | Western scientists have been debating the origin of Kamo’oalewa for years. China went looking for him

This is how astronauts prepare to step on the Moon in 2028

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This week, SpaceX may take a giant step toward the Moon If Starship Flight 12 goes well. However, its main competitor in this race, Blue Origin, is not far behind. Its lunar module, the Blue Moon MK1, has successfully passed tests in a NASA vacuum chamber. And if that were not enough, there is now a model of the Blue Moon MK2 installed at the Johnson Space Center, so that the Artemis astronauts can practice the steps that will be carried out during the long-awaited moon landing. A step that SpaceX has not taken. The Blue Moon MK2 model is positioned in Building 9 of the Johnson Space Center, next to a prototype of the Orion capsule. The goal is for astronauts to rehearse the transition from one ship to another just before landing on the moon. This maneuver will take place during the Artemis IV missioninitially with Starship. This is because NASA closed the contract for this point of the mission with SpaceX. As for Blue Origin, would come into play in Artemis V. However, given some SpaceX delays, NASA has expressed the possibility of making changes to the contracts and advancing Blue Origin if it is ready sooner. At the moment, both are going well and it seems that SpaceX is recovering from its delays. The astronauts have also been able to do some training on Starship. However, everything has happened at the SpaceX facilities. It is the first time that NASA itself houses a mock-up of one of the landers so that the future crew can carry out the maneuver together with Orion. Different from the Apollo program. The Apollo program missions were manned by three astronauts, of which two landed on the moon and another remained orbiting the Moon. This happened after the two stages of the ship separated. The lander descended towards the Moon, but the command module remained in lunar orbit. In the case of Artemis there is not one ship that separates into two, but two ships. Astronauts will travel to lunar orbit aboard Orion. Once there, the ship will dock with the human landing system (HLS) developed by Blue Origin or SpaceX. This will allow two of the astronauts to transition to it and embark on the moon landing, while the other two remain in Orion. A very close race. The manned moon landing will happen on Artemis IV. However, before that, each company will need to have demonstrated the landing capability of its HLS separately, as well as the possibility of refueling directly in orbit. This is mission essential and has never been done before. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are making good progress. Some more advanced than others in specific steps, but without stopping moving forward. A lot of money at stake. It is logical that both companies are putting so much effort into this competition. Not only the pleasure of making history is at stake. There is also a lot of money on the table. If everything goes as planned, is calculated that SpaceX could earn up to $4.5 billion and Blue Origin $3.4 billion. It may end in a tie. Although this has always been seen as a competition, in reality if both prove to be viable, it is expected that neither will be left without visiting the Moon in the Artemis program. It is expected that Artemis III already has one of the landers for its docking with Orion in 2027. Afterwards, a manned lunar landing would be completed in 2028 with Artemis IV. From then on, the goal is for trips to the Moon to become a regular occurrence. For that, the more landers, the better. In principle, the two companies will have their piece of the pie. Images | POT In Xataka | In 2018, Elon Musk put his own car into orbit. Eight years later it is still circling the Earth

Actigraph, the Brazilian bracelet that traveled to the Moon to monitor the sleep of NASA astronauts and that you can also use

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Rodrigo Trevisan Okamoto, the Brazilian engineer and founding partner of the company Condor Instruments, knew that it was very important for the Artemis scientists to monitor the sleep of their astronauts. He also knew that NASA had acquired several activity bracelets marketed by his company years ago, whose objective is precisely to analyze users’ sleep patterns in an exhaustive way. Still, the news he received on April 1 was a shock and a surprise. Shortly after the Artemis mission took off successfully towards the Moon, received an email stating that some of its astronauts were wearing one of its bracelets. A bracelet to monitor your sleep. Nowadays there are many watches and bracelets that analyze users’ sleep. However, that of Condor Instrumentscalled Actigraph, has a key difference, since it is capable of detecting different wavelengths of light and establishing patterns with sleep. Not all colors of light influence our sleep the same way.. Blue light is the one that inhibits our melatonin levels the most and therefore prevents us from sleeping. On the other hand, in the absence of ideal darkness, warm light is a better option when we go to sleep. That’s what this bracelet that the Artemis II crew worked with throughout the mission does. More information. The bracelet has 10 sensors in total to detect light at different wavelengths. As for sleep and rest patterns, they are analyzed using sensors that detect movement in the arms. Stillness is interpreted as rest and movement as wakefulness. However, we will all agree that this alone is not a good parameter. We can be very still, but awake. However, it also measures other parameters, such as body temperature, which does tend to drop when we are asleep. Everything is analyzed together. Both in heaven and on Earth. The Actigraph is useful for any type of person. You don’t have to be an astronaut to use an activity bracelet. However, this particular one is especially useful for astronauts because their light-dark cycles are not the same as here on Earth. For example, a night on the Moon lasts around two weeks. On the International Space Station, however, there are several sunrises and sunsets in a single day. For this reason, it is especially interesting to confront sleep patterns with light patterns. A history with NASA. It is well known that space is not the best place to fall asleep. Not only because of the light issue. Also because it is a very stressful situation and because, in general, there is not much room for intimacy. In addition, it appears that microgravity also affects sleep, although the exact causes have not yet been determined. For all this, in 2023 NASA decided to buy several Actigraph. The Artemis missions were just beginning and they wanted to start looking for ways to analyze astronauts’ sleep for when the first manned voyage took place. They even met with Okamoto several times. However, at no time was it confirmed that his watches were going to be used. There was a possibility, but he only received confirmation immediately after takeoff. It must have been a high almost as high as the one the astronauts experienced. Okay, maybe I’ve gone too far with the comparison, but surely news like this will feel good to anyone. Image | NASA/Condor Instruments In Xataka | The far side of the Moon hid an icy secret. We finally know why it is so different from what we see

This space company has designed the suit for astronauts that you would also want to wear on the street

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The private space company Vast has presented at the 46th Space Symposium the suits that its team will wear both in training on Earth and in missions in space. These are aesthetically appealing clothes, but above all they have been manufactured with careful consideration of the needs of astronauts. on the International Space Station. Thus, the aim is to facilitate both their movements and their ability to work. Both with and without gravity. As explained in a Vast statement former astronaut and company advisor Megan McArthur, in space the body takes on positions that it does not take on Earth. Additionally, when working in microgravity, it is necessary to always have your hands free and tools within reach. They may be necessary at any time. For this reason, spacesuits must put comfort and operability above all things. Pockets, zippers and hooks. Vast’s spacesuit consists of two pieces, which can be worn separately or as a jumpsuit, joining both parts with a zipper. It has a multitude of pockets, like cargo pants. The main difference with any garment with pockets that can be worn on Earth is that each of them is intentionally placed to squeeze out their use in microgravity. They are right where they are needed. On the other hand, astronauts may need to access tools quickly, so opening and closing the zipper of the pocket takes up too much of their time. That’s why spacesuits also have hook-and-loop closures on the pants legs. Mobility comes first. The suits are made from a lightweight, breathable and flexible material with rear vents and shoulder gussets, allowing full range of motion. In addition, it is tailored to each astronaut, so that the fit is completely personalized. Many tests ahead. Vast has just signed its first contract with NASA to take its astronauts to the International Space Station in 2027. During all that time, just as the hardware necessary for the mission is thoroughly tested, the relevant tests will be carried out on the spacesuit. Above all, it must be confirmed that the materials are safe, durable and compatible with the space station environment. There is no washing machine in space. Both the Vast suit and the rest of the uniforms used by astronauts on the International Space Station, They must be dirt resistant and quick drying. Thus, crew members can wear the same clothes for several days without problem. Clothes that get dirty faster, such as underwear, are changed more often. They are placed in airtight bags and, when enough accumulates, they are added along with other waste in a cargo vehicle that is sent to Earth, so that all of these waste products are burned as they pass through the atmosphere. Not to be confused with the extravehicular suit. What Vast has just presented is the uniform of its astronauts. This should not be confused with the extravehicular suit, which is used on flights and spacewalks to protect astronauts from radiation, fire, or extreme temperatures. The uniforms They are something much simplerwhich can even be worn on Earth to attend events. Still, these are not random garments. There is also a lot of technology behind it. Vast Seasons. Vast’s goal is to support continued human presence in space in the future, with an eye toward space research, industry and tourism. To this end, this company has several space station projects, both single module and multimodular. They also plan to build a station with artificial gravity in the future, something that has not yet been achieved. But first they must gain experience and hours in space. Therefore, the first step will be to take its astronauts to the International Space Station. Now, thanks to NASAhave their first private mission in these facilities on the horizon. If all goes well, the launch window will open in summer 2027. Images | Vast In Xataka | This woman has been accused for years of committing the only crime that has taken place in space. It was all a lie

Artemis II is a million-dollar mission, but its astronauts have had to wear t-shirts as blinds

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Luckily, all the systems vital for the proper functioning of Orion they are going swimmingly on his trip to the Moon. However, he is having some more mundane unforeseen events, such as problems with outlook wave freezing of the urine reservoir. Added to all this is having to use t-shirts as blinds. And it was not an outburst from the astronauts, but rather direct instructions from Houston. Colder than at Pingu’s communion. The Orion capsule is not exactly the most air-conditioned place. It is very cold inside, so the Mission Control Team, from Earth, has been working to warm it up. Together with the crew, it was decided to move the ship so that it was as exposed to the Sun as possible. But there is a problem with that. The blinds that astronauts use to be able to sleep without the room becoming too bright absorb that heat and overheat. Possible damage to windows. If the blinds overheat, they could transmit that heat to the windows themselves, which would be at risk of damage. For this reason, the Control Team recommended to the crew on April 4 that they remove all the blinds. They explained to them that they understood that this would be very uncomfortable, since the interior of the capsule would be very illuminated. For this reason, they added a most strange recommendation: that they cover the windows with T-shirts. In the communication system recording, a crew member is heard complying with the order and indicating that they would follow the advice. But what advice. delicate windows. We might ask ourselves why it is necessary to protect the windows from the Sun if the ship is prepared to withstand the very high temperatures of re-entry into the atmosphere. It’s a good question, but the truth is that it is not the same type of heat. To begin with, reentry involves very great heat that spreads throughout the ship in a very short time. On the other hand, what comes from the windows is a much more focused and maintained heat. Orion’s heat shield protects it from the heat of reentry. Furthermore, the windows They have an outer layer of fused silica capable of withstanding 2,760ºC. But the inner layers are not as strong. Therefore, if they are exposed to solar radiation maintained and focused directly on them after being absorbed by the blinds, they may not withstand the heat. The future. Despite that small mishap, everything is going smoothly. In fact, Orion already has broken the record of going further than any other manned spacecraft and is close to beating another, reaching the highest speed at which any human being has traveled. If all goes well, this will happen next Friday, April 10, although in Spanish time it will already be the early morning of the 11th. In addition, they stand out for being the first lunar mission in which a woman, a black person and someone who is not American travel. It is not understood how in such an ambitious and expensive mission it has been necessary to use t-shirts as blinds, but at least it has been a failure that does not put the crew at risk. Images | NASA and Freepik In Xataka | For this alone, Artemis II has already been worth it: the impressive photos of the far side of the Moon

This is how well the Artemis astronauts eat on their trip to the Moon

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During a space mission, Everything that is loaded on the ship must be chosen very well.. The fuel depends a lot on its final weight, so it must be calculated carefully, taking into account every last drop of water. That also includes food. That’s why the crew of Artemis II carry with them a menu that was painstakingly designed weeks before launch. Now, just because precautions must be taken does not mean that astronauts do not eat well. It is important that they eat properly, with a balanced amount of nutrients and, of course, including foods that they like. In fact, to guarantee the latter, the crew itself actively intervenes in the design of the menu. Be careful with the crumbs. Food loaded aboard a spaceship must meet a series of requirements. To begin with, crumbs must be minimized, since they could float around the ship due to microgravity, potentially damaging electronic devices if they enter through its cracks. It is also important that the food is vacuum sealed and, if possible, dehydrated. Thus, food security is guaranteed during the days of the mission. In the case of Orión, it has a water dispenser, so that it can be transferred directly to the sachets in which the dehydrated foods are included just at the moment in which they are going to be consumed. Finally, it is important that they are nutritious foods, according to the requirements at each moment of the mission. Two key points. The water dispenser cannot be used during launch and landing. Therefore, meals eaten around these two key moments must be ready to eat, without the need for hydration. The all-round tortillas. Historically, astronauts have had the option of choosing at least one beloved food to take with them on their missions to space. Therefore, in 1985, Mexican astronaut Rodolfo Neri Vela He asked to bring wheat tortillas, like those used to make fajitas. Later, what began as the culinary whim of a single astronaut became one of the most in-demand foods on space missions, since it does not release crumbs, is very versatile and can be stored safely for many days. Tortillas need accompaniment. Precisely because of this custom of including tortillas on menus, over time accompaniments have been added to make their consumption more pleasant. In the case of Artemis II, for example, They carry five different types of hot sauce on board.and. Hot or cold food. Although all food on board can be eaten cold, astronauts have at their disposal a hand warmer, contained in a type of briefcase, in which they can heat the food if they wish. Again, this would not be possible during landing and launch. In that case you should eat as quickly as possible, without preparations. Each astronaut with their personal tastes. Astronauts help prepare the menu before the mission, trying different options and choosing the ones they like best. In fact, the dishes are distributed so that each person will have their own prepared in the ten days they remain on the ship. A single container contains two to three days of meals for each crew member. That includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Artemis II Menu. Some examples of foods on board Artemis II are vegetable quiche, broccoli gratin, nuts, beef brisket or macaroni and cheese, among others. As for drinks, in addition to the water that can be obtained from the dispenser, the astronauts have 43 cups of coffee, to be distributed among the entire crew, during the 10 days of the mission. You can also flavor chocolate, vanilla or strawberry drinks. Each astronaut is assigned two flavored drinks a day. It doesn’t taste the same. Without a doubt, the menu of the Artemis II astronauts seems most pleasant. Unfortunately, they will not taste it the same as they did during the tests on Earth, because It is proven that food in space tastes different. Still, I’m sure they enjoy it. As Christina Koch explained in a video for NASAeating those highly packaged foods, together with other people, in such a different place, is a kind of camping picnic with friends. In Xataka | NASA has been racking its brains for years to figure out what we will eat on the Moon. Answer: Madrid stew Image | NASA | freepik

Artemis II has a toilet that evacuates the astronauts’ urine into space. The problem is that it has frozen

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The Orion capsule toilet It is being one of the most commented topics of Artemis II. It is no wonder, since it greatly facilitates the life of the astronauts who are on their way to the Moon. However, if it continues to generate conversation after the launch, it is no longer because of the novelty, but rather because of the incidents it is causing. The last of them has been so important that it has even forced some special maneuvers to be carried out with Orion. Background. Until now, no spacecraft had anything resembling a bathroom for astronauts. Yes, there are options in long-stay facilities, such as the International Space Station. However, there was no way to evacuate during space travel. The astronauts of the Apollo missions, for example, had to use something similar to a condom for urine and a kind of diaper with a hole for toilet paper in case they wanted to do major water. Luckily, the Artemis II astronauts They have a more advanced system. There is no room for so much urine. The Orion toilet uses a type of hose attached to a funnel that, through suction, draws urine into a tank. Thus, the problems of microgravity are solved. On the other hand, this tank has direct contact with the exterior of the ship, in such a way that the urine, once it is full, is released directly into space. urine slushie. Since the journey of the Artemis II astronauts began There have been some problems with the capsule bathbut almost all of them have been solved. Unfortunately, there is another one that is being more difficult to solve. And the low temperatures outside are freezing the urine, so it cannot leave the tank. Maneuver changes. Faced with this problem, it was decided to maneuver the capsule in such a way that the tank and pipes were exposed to the Sun for as long as possible. Thus, the urine should thaw and be released without problems. It wasn’t enough. Unfortunately, although this measure seemed to be useful at first, sun exposure is not enough to have liquid urine at all times. It spends a lot of time frozen, so for now, astronauts are having to put their urine in bags and store them, exactly the same as with feces. With the latter it was already established that they would be stored and taken back to Earth, but with urine the simplest thing would have been to let it flow through space. But for now it’s not an option, so these bags will have to take up some extra space on the ship. Ultimately it is good news. According to statements by the deputy director of the Orion program for NASA, Debbie Korth, collected by Ars Technicathe performance of the capsule in general is being remarkably good. The good development of all the ship’s systems has pleasantly surprised the engineers. Therefore, the fact that the biggest headache for the ship’s crew is that their urine freezes is still good news. It would be much worse if some vital system failed. In that case, no one would notice the capsule bathroom. That everyone is paying attention to him is also a triumph. Image | NASA | freepik In Xataka | The Artemis II astronauts will carry out experiments in what will be their own study models

from virtual astronauts to saliva on pieces of paper

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Conducting experiments in space is complicated. There are not many resources, much less study subjects. Therefore, sometimes these must be the experimenters themselves. This is precisely what the crew of Artemis II will have to do in the next 10 days. if everything goes well. One of its missions will be to carry out experiments on how the conditions of outer space affect human health. And they will prove it on themselves. Background. It is well known that stays in space, no matter how short, can affect human health. Just look at the recent example of the astronaut who lost his speech on the International Space Station (ISS). for reasons still unknown. For this reason, a good part of the experiments carried out in these facilities are aimed at exactly that: analyzing how issues such as microgravity, isolation or cosmic radiation affect human health. Interesting discoveries have been made, but the reality is that carrying out experiments in low Earth orbit, where the ISS is located, is not the same as on the Moon. A mission to protect them all. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen They will have several missions in their 10 days of travel. To begin with, they will have to test the proper functioning of the ship and its viability for the lunar landing that will take place on Artemis III. They will also take photographs of the far side of the Moon and other measurements of scientific interest. And, finally, they will serve as study subjects in a series of experiments on the effects of space on human health. This time yes: further from low Earth orbit. space dream. The first study that they will carry out in this sense will be ARCHeRa set of experiments aimed at analyzing how space affects factors such as sleep, stress, cognition and teamwork. To monitor it, they will wear activity bracelets, whose measurements will be added to those taken on Earth both before and after the mission. The combination of all this information will be very useful to understand how the isolation and stress of a mission like this affect the astronauts’ minds. Immune health. On the International Space Station it has been proven that some viruses, such as varicella zoster, are more likely to come out of latency. These are viruses that the immune system is not able to completely eliminate, but rather remain latent in the body. In the case of varicella zoster, for example, they stay on their nervesimmersed in a kind of lethargy from which they may never emerge. If they do, it is usually due to a lowering of their defenses. Therefore, it is believed that space could affect the immune system. To check this, Artemis II crew members will take samples of wet saliva and blood before and after their trip. They will also take dried saliva samples during the duration of the mission.. Astronaut depositing dry saliva sample Dry saliva is obtained by depositing the sample on sheets of paper specifically for this purpose. Not just any role is worth it. It is the best way to store saliva samples in space, where they cannot be refrigerated normally. Once all samples are analyzed, the goal will be to study immune biomarker levels for possible declines caused by space. Virtual astronauts to examine radiation. It is also important to check how radiation affects the health of astronauts. On trips like this, they will not leave the ship, which has adequate shields so that the radiation does not cause them damage. However, in future moon landings, especially if lunar bases are established, that feared exposure to radiation could occur. To study what the effects would be and design effective protection systems, AVATAR has been launchedan experiment that consists of manufacturing a virtual astronaut for each of the crew members. Artificial bone marrow All of them have provided samples of cells from their bone marrow that have been grown on a chip the size of a USB memory stick. Thus, a small artificial bone marrow has been obtained with the characteristics of each of them. These will be exposed to radiation while the astronauts remain safe. Because it is a part of the body with many dividing cells, it is especially susceptible to radiation. Therefore, you can see much better what the effects would be. In addition, they can be compared with cell samples taken from the astronauts themselves once they return from the mission. Measures for the future. All these experiments will serve to better protect astronauts who travel to the Moon in the future. For example, measures could be sought to address sleep problems or suits that better protect against radiation. In addition, thanks to the AVATAR system, the chips could be sent before the astronauts go to space. Thus, the specific effects on their health would be checked and appropriate first aid kits would be designed for each of them. All this will be possible thanks to the fact that Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen will simultaneously act as scientists and study models. Images | NASA | Emulate | freepik In Xataka | Artemis II will take NASA to the Moon half a century later. He will do it with the help of the University of Seville

Three findings about astronauts’ blood have set off all the alarms. Going to Mars will be more dangerous than expected

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We do not want to recognize it, we are not willing to accept it, we refuse to see it; but no, we are not made for space. And our persistence, in the context of large, long-duration manned missions, can cost us dearly. The last reminder has been the blood. The blood? Indeed. Three recent findings (accelerated destruction of red blood cells, platelet dysfunction in microgravity and somatic mutations of hematopoietic stem cells) make it clear that we still have a long way to go before we can enter the depths of outer space without putting our lives at risk. A giant elephant shaped like hematological syndrome. Because this is important, it is not a small health problem. None of that: we are talking about a whole hematological syndrome that affects us on numerous physiological fronts. And it makes sense: the blood leaves a lot to be desired. Is too prone to clots and too slow to clot when it is needed. Plus, he’s not very good at putting up with things either. in space more red blood cells are destroyed than are produced and that generates persistent anemia that can take up to a year to recover. This year it took place the first medical evacuation from the ISS and everything suggests that it will not be the last. A very real problem. That’s what the evacuation of Colonel Mike Finckethat space medicine is not a theoretical question. Even more so, taking into account that every time there will be more people up thereorbital health has become a key issue. What’s new? There is no big news, really: what is new is that an overall vision is now beginning to emerge. And that is giving us a clear idea of ​​the problems we face. For example, space increases the risk of thrombosis and bleeding simultaneously: they are two completely opposite things that have no clear pharmacological approach. And then? Simply be cautious. The new era of space exploration is going to expose us to the evils of space like never before. If we are not prepared, the ‘Gelsinger effect‘ may end up setting everything back a couple of decades. Image | Bradley Dunn In Xataka | NASA astronaut remains hospitalized after returning from space on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft

your astronauts just harvested them

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Imagine for a moment a tomato plant growing hundreds of kilometers above Earth, inside an orbiting space station. The scene might seem like something out of science fiction, but it is already part of the scientific activity at the Chinese Tiangong space station. According to China Central Television (CCTV)the Shenzhou-21 mission crew has harvested cherry tomatoes grown in orbit, photographing the ripe fruits before removing and storing them as part of the experiment. Behind this striking image there is a very specific objective: to check whether humans will be able to produce food in space during long missions, something that space agencies consider important for future expeditions beyond Earth’s orbit. The system. The tomatoes were grown in an aeroponic growing system designed to operate in microgravity, a technology that sprays water and nutrients in the form of a mist to directly feed the plants’ roots. Sina explains that The team was sent to Tiangong in July 2025 aboard the Tianzhou-9 cargo ship and is part of a series of experiments aimed at verifying key cultivation technologies in orbit and expanding the range of species that could be grown in space. After more than three months of growth, the plants managed to complete their cycle and produce ripe fruits that the crew photographed and removed following the scientific protocol of the experiment. The technology behind the “orbital garden”. Cultivation in space requires very different solutions than terrestrial agriculture. Instead of soil, the system used at Tiangong keeps the plants’ roots suspended and feeds them with a mist of water and nutrients, a technique known as aeroponic growing. As explained by astronaut Zhang Hongzhangthis method allows increasing water use efficiency, something especially important in the closed environment of a space station. The device is complemented by an LED lighting system designed to provide the light spectrum necessary for plant development and improve the energy efficiency of the system. Experiments that have been underway for decades. Growing plants in space is not a new idea. NASA reminds that Space agencies have been conducting experiments with plants in orbit for decades, although for a long time samples were grown only for scientific purposes and sent back to Earth for analysis. In 2015, for example, astronauts on the International Space Station became the first to eat a food grown in space, red romaine lettuce produced in the station’s vegetable laboratory. Since then, different studies have been carried out with microgravity cultures, including studies with tomatoes like VEG-05, made at the Veggie facility, or XROOTS. A key element to live longer in space. If humans want to spend months or even years away from Earth, depending exclusively on shipments sent from our planet is impractical. For this reason, for decades different space agencies have been investigating how to integrate plants into life support systems capable of regenerating part of the resources necessary for the crew. According to the scientific literature cited in Frontiers in Plant Sciencecrops can provide fresh food, produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide within closed environments such as space stations or future bases on the Moon or Mars. In addition, the researchers point out another less visible but important benefit: cultivation activities have been shown to have positive effects on the psychological state of astronauts during prolonged missions. The importance of these experiments goes beyond the curiosity aroused by images of plants growing in orbit. Each crop grown on space stations allows data to be collected on how plants react to microgravity, knowledge that is essential to design more complete life support systems. Current research seeks to understand whether these crops can be integrated into bioregenerative life support systems capable of producing part of the resources necessary for a crew. If that objective is confirmed, technologies such as those being tested today in Tiangong could become an important tool to sustain prolonged human missions in space. Images | CCTV In Xataka | China has the Moon between its eyebrows: it has now created the first chemical map of the hidden face

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