Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31285: How Water Moves in Plant-Like Structures in Space: The Massoperenos Experiment

The Massoperenos experiment focuses on how fluids move through capillary-porous structures—like sponges or plant roots—in microgravity. This is crucial for growing plants in space, as roots typically rely on gravity to draw water and nutrients.

Conducted during Expedition 2 by ROSCOSMOS, this experiment tested how water is absorbed and distributed in porous media when gravity is not present. On Earth, capillary action helps water climb through small spaces, but in space, the absence of gravitational pull means other forces take over.

Understanding these forces helps in designing sustainable agricultural systems for long-duration space missions. It also supports the creation of more efficient life-support systems involving water filtration and nutrient delivery.

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