Searched for
PLANT BIOLOGY IN SPACE
In 2017, a fully automated facility for plant bioscience research was launched to the International Space Station: What NASA studied in space?- In 2025, DLR tested continuous spirulina growth on the ISS for future closed-loop life support; Limnospira indica produced oxygen and edible biomass in microgravity
- In 1984, NASA sent 12.5 million tomato seeds into orbit for nearly six years. After their return, 132,000 experiment kits were distributed across every US state and 30 countries
- In 1999, NASA flew Ceratopteris fern spores on STS-93 to test gravity-guided growth; they germinated normally, but their developmental polarity became randomA NASA experiment examined the growth of fern spores in a zero-gravity environment. The spores showcased continued development, yet their g...14 Sep, 2026, 01.20 PM IST
- In 2022, China grew rice from seed to seed on Tiangong for 120 days; six seeds produced 59, and their descendants reached a third generation on EarthChinese astronauts have made remarkable strides in agricultural innovation by growing rice aboard the Tiangong space station. The experimen...11 Sep, 2026, 01.10 PM IST
- In 2009, researchers in Spain mixed grape waste with slate mining waste and created a soil-like material that could help barren mine dumps grow plantsResearchers in north-west Spain are turning grape waste into a soil-like material by mixing grape marc compost and vermicompost with barren...09 Sep, 2026, 10.09 PM IST
- In 1994, NASA flew four Japanese red-bellied newts on STS-65 for nearly 15 days; two adults died, but 32 newt eggs hatchedSpace Shuttle Columbia's 1994 mission studied animal reproduction in zero gravity. Four red-bellied newts and medaka fish were part of biol...08 Sep, 2026, 02.00 PM IST
- On a 12-day Russian biosatellite flight, seven silkworm varieties spun silk, built cocoons, mated and laid eggs; some developmental stages occurred 2-3 days faster than ground controlsChinese silkworms have successfully navigated their life cycle during an impressive twelve-day mission in space. Notably, their eggs hatche...06 Sep, 2026, 01.20 PM IST
- In 2005, ESA exposed two kinds of lichen to space for 14.6 days; both remained metabolically active and recovered after returning to EarthIn a groundbreaking experiment, two lichen species, Rhizocarpon geographicum and Xanthoria elegans, showcased extraordinary durability by s...05 Sep, 2026, 01.20 PM IST
- In 2021, NASA grew Hatch chile peppers on the International Space Station; over 137 days, the plants produced harvestable fruit with unusually straight stemsIn 2021, NASA astronauts successfully cultivated Hatch chile peppers aboard the International Space Station, observing that the lack of gra...04 Sep, 2026, 08.27 PM IST
- In 1995, NASA sent 30 fertilised Japanese quail eggs to the Mir space station for 16 days; what scientists found after they returned raised new questions about life without gravityIn 1995, NASA launched a fascinating experiment by sending fertilized quail eggs to the Mir space station. The objective was to explore how...04 Sep, 2026, 07.50 PM IST
- In 1966, NASA launched Biosatellite I with 13 biology experiments and more than 10 million organisms; its retrorocket failed, and the spacecraft was never recoveredIn 1966, NASA's Biosatellite I mission attempted to carry over ten million organisms into orbit, but a retrorocket malfunction led to the c...04 Sep, 2026, 01.40 PM IST
- In 1967, NASA flew flour beetle pupae on Biosatellite II for 45 hours; radiation and weightlessness raised wing abnormalities in flight from 29.9% to 44.8%During the 1967 Biosatellite II mission, flour beetles displayed notable wing deformities, underscoring how weightlessness amplified the ad...04 Sep, 2026, 01.30 PM IST
- No chemicals, only banana peels and water: This simple gardening hack can be a natural fertiliser for your plantsUsing discarded banana peels as a natural fertilizer is an effective way to nourish your plants while being kind to the environment. Homema...04 Sep, 2026, 12.15 PM IST
- Nasa scientists grew corn seeds in space and found something strange: How microgravity confused roots & shoots that normally know exactly which way to growNasa scientists grew corn seeds in space: NASA conducted an intriguing experiment on corn seeds grown in the absence of gravity’s guiding f...02 Sep, 2026, 05.27 PM IST
- In 1967, Biosatellite II irradiated parasitic wasps for 2 days in orbit; females later laid as many eggs as controls, and hatchability remained excellentA 1967 NASA mission sent parasitic wasps into orbit around Earth. These wasps showed surprising resistance to radiation damage while in spa...02 Sep, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
- In 1990, NASA recovered tomato seeds after nearly 6 years on LDEF; classroom tests found space seeds germinated at 73.8% versus 70.3% for Earth controlsAfter nearly six years aboard NASA's LDEF satellite, Rutgers tomato seeds returned to Earth to inspire young scientists. Millions of studen...01 Sep, 2026, 07.00 PM IST
- In 2024, Nevada filled 1.8 million solar panels across the Mojave Desert; a rare milkvetch plant growing inside the farm started to produce 8 times more flowers and 10 times more fruit than plants outsideA rare Mojave Desert plant unexpectedly flourished inside Nevada's massive Gemini Solar Project. Researchers found threecorner milkvetch pl...01 Sep, 2026, 05.18 PM IST
- In 1987, Bion 8 carried monkeys Yerosha and Dryoma for 13 days; Yerosha escaped part of his restraints before the capsule landed 1,850 miles off targetThe Soviet Bion program studied weightlessness effects using rhesus macaques. Bion 8 launched in 1987 with two monkeys, Yerosha and Dryoma....31 Aug, 2026, 07.40 PM IST
- In 1962, NASA packed 22,900 gallons of water into a Saturn I rocket and deliberately released it 65 miles above Earth to see how water behaved in the upper atmosphereNASA scientists have long explored recycling resources for extended space travel. Plants and microorganisms could help regenerate vital sup...28 Aug, 2026, 09.39 PM IST
Load More
