NASA space scientist Sunita Williams has to be stuck in the International Space Station (ISS) for eight months under special circumstances. And he is using this time very positively. According to media reports, the Indian-origin American astronaut is conducting groundbreaking research while on board the ISS.
Sunita is investigating whether it is possible to cultivate lettuce leaves brought from Earth in the microgravity of space.
One of the goals of his research is to observe how the production and growth of lettuce is affected by the variation of water content and draw different conclusions from it.
According to scientists, if Sunita’s research is successful, it will be nothing less than a blessing to the future world. Because, with the help of this researched knowledge, astronauts can grow this kind of food while sitting in the spaceship or space station in the future.
As a result, they no longer have to depend on the earth for food supplies. At the same time, it will be possible to improve the cultivation of the earth’s soil.
According to NASA, Sunita Williams is focused on ‘Advanced Plant Habitat Operations’ for the future.
Before planting those lettuces in Plant Habitat-07, Sunita collected water samples from her current environment. And it is with that sample that the water needs of the lettuce are being met.
This research is looking at how changes in humidity affect plant growth and nutrition. So that by using this knowledge, it is possible to produce food products in a better way on earth as well as in space in the future.
Incidentally, NASA has long expressed interest in farming in space. Space scientists believe that Sunita’s research could play a major role in realizing their plans.
Apart from growing lettuce in space, Sunita is also helping her fellow astronauts to conduct various health related experiments. This is his daily work. Which includes checking the blood vessel health of colleagues and fellow passengers with the help of ultrasound scan.
They are investigating, if a nova star stays or is forced to stay in space for a long time, then what effect that event can have on his body.