Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32344: Growing Greens in Microgravity: The Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space Experiment

What if astronauts could grow fresh vegetables while orbiting Earth? That’s the question scientists set out to answer with the Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space experiment. Spearheaded by Dr. Ravikumar Hosamani from the University of Agricultural Sciences in India and developed with BioServe Space Technologies, this study explored how seeds behave and grow in microgravity.

Conducted during Expeditions 72 and 73 aboard the ISS, the experiment aimed to see how well salad-type plants—like mustard, radish, and lettuce—could germinate and develop in space. In microgravity, plants face unique challenges: they can't rely on gravity to guide root growth or stabilize themselves. This study helped determine if space-grown greens could be part of future astronaut diets.

Scientists monitored germination rates, root and shoot development, and how microgravity affected the seedling's orientation and structure. Early results showed promising outcomes—certain seeds did sprout and grow, despite the unusual conditions. This opens doors to future space farming, making missions to Mars or longer stays on the Moon more self-sustainable.

The findings also benefit agriculture back on Earth, especially in challenging environments or urban vertical farms.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program to dig into the future of space farming!

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.