Vegetables Grown in Space Found Safe for Consumption

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Looks like astronauts are well on their way to having a healthy veggie diet in space as Russian scientists reveal that vegetables they have been growing at the International Space Station (ISS) are safe for consumption.

“The plants have been very developed, absolutely normal and did not differ a lot from the plants grown on Earth,” said Margarita Levinskikh of the Institute of Biological Problems to the Russian radio show The Voice of Russia.

Astronauts have also reportedly eaten the vegetables, which included peas, dwarf wheat and Japanese leafy greens, without any problems.

The vegetables were grown in a special greenhouse named Lada, after the Russian goddess of spring. Lada is filled with nutrients enough to grow several crops of vegetables before they are depleted. At that point, Lada is sent back to Earth for examination.

Next, researchers are planning on growing rice, tomatoes and bell peppers, none of which have been grown in space before.

The finding is an important step for researchers as growing food would be vital for astronauts exploring and eventually colonizing other places in space. One can hope they stick with the research with vegetables and don’t even consider bringing fast food to new corners of the galaxy.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Via The Escapist Magazine