NASA Plans On Making Fresh Lettuce Salads Available in Space

NASA is currently working on an experiment where it will attempt to grown fresh lettuce in space that astronauts can consume.

The biggest disadvantage of traveling to space is probably the lack of fresh food. In an attempt to fix this problem, NASA launched the Vegetable Production System (VEGGIE) Program last year. This is the space agency's first attempt to grow produce in space that could sustain astronauts.

The latest development is that NASA is now experimenting on growing fresh lettuce in space. Researchers at the Kennedy Space Center are working toward growing red romaine lettuce in zero-gravity under pink LED lights. While the produce should be dining-ready in 28 days, it'll be awhile before the astronauts will be able to eat it.

"They'll grow the lettuce, freeze it and send it back to Earth," she told ABC News. "We need to look at what types of microorganisms are on the leaves so we can determine if they're safe to eat in orbit."

Though space microbes are generally regarded as being harmless, the US space mission has given strict orders that no one is to consume anything grown in space until the vetting procedure has deemed it safe for humans.

Explaining what VEGGIE is all about, NASA said in a press release: "The Vegetable Production System (Veggie) is a deployable plant growth unit capable of producing salad-type crops to provide the crew with a palatable, nutritious, and safe source of fresh food and a tool to support relaxation and recreation. The Veggie provides lighting and nutrient delivery, but utilizes the cabin environment for temperature control and as a source of carbon dioxide to promote growth."