NASA’s Growing Commitment: The Space Garden

About this technology

Overview

Orbital Technologies Corporation is currently working, with NASA assistance, to grow salad crops to supplement prepackaged foods during long stays in space. The company has developed a growth chamber that is the same dimensions as an astronaut's food package and uses the same hydration needle. Flight-tested versions of this device have been sent to the International Space Station. A terrestrial modification of this device, complete with expandable bellows for plant growth, growing medium, seeds, and a hydration system is available to the public for education experiments. The kit also comes with video of astronauts growing plants in space, growth charts, and suggested experiments and lesson plans for use by educators.