Astronauts could grow 'kitchen garden' on mission to Mars

[falkor]

Astronauts on the first manned missions to Mars could tend “kitchen gardens” of salad and vegetables onboard spaceships
29 Aug 2011 Daily Telegraph

Experts say the crops would not only give crews healthy food to eat during the long journey to the red planet, but would also improve the atmosphere onboard by producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.

In addition, the plants suggested as suitable by a NASA scientist would require minimal tending and not take up much room on spacecraft.

The 10 “prime candidates” are lettuce, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, spring onions, radishes, peppers, strawberries, herbs and cabbage.

Unmanned spacecraft full of supplies including long-lasting food could also be sent to Mars before astronauts set off, so they would have something to eat when they arrived.

Maya Cooper, speaking at the American Chemical Society’s annual conference, said: “Right now, we are looking at the possibility of implementing a bioregenerative system that would involve growing crops in space and possibly shipping some bulk commodities to a Mars habitat as well.

"This scenario involves much more food processing and meal preparation than the current food system developed for the space shuttles and the International Space Station.”

[dave3974]

i would need to be very convinced there was a good gardener on board to rely on this , but practicaly what choice is there , it would take a warehouse of food otherwise

[falkor]

what choice is there Dave?

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