Space tourism has become a growing area of interest in the recent past. Several expeditions and experiments have been carried out to see how life could be sustained away from Earth. In a first, NASA astronauts have managed to grow fresh chillis aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA's Plant Habitat-04 (PH-04) experiment cultivated chilli peppers for about four months after which they were harvested and sent back to Earth. Before sending them back, the crew aboard the ISS tried making delicious Tacos with them! Take a look at the photos shared on Twitter:
Friday Feasting! After the harvest, we got to taste red and green chile. Then we filled out surveys (got to have the data! ????). Finally, I made my best space tacos yet: fajita beef, rehydrated tomatoes & artichokes, and HATCH CHILE! https://t.co/pzvS5A6z5upic.twitter.com/fJ8yLZuhZS— Megan McArthur (@Astro_Megan) October 29, 2021
(Also Read: NASA's Challenge To Grow Food In Space Can Win You Up To $500,000)
Astronaut Meghan McArthur shared the pictures of the delicious Tacos that the crew enjoyed. Calling it 'Friday Feasting', McArthur wrote, "We got to taste red and green chile. Then, we filled out surveys (got to have the data). Finally, I made my best space tacos yet." She used Fajita meat, rehydrated tomatoes and artichokes and freshly grown chillies in the Taco filling. The Mexican treat indeed looked delicious.
The first crop of chillies was picked from the space station on Saturday, October 30th. It was called the most challenging experiment by NASA yet due to the long germination and growing times. Take a look:
The station astronauts are learning how to grow food in space as @NASA plans human missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. https://t.co/3lp48mBThg— International Space Station (@Space_Station) October 29, 2021
The idea behind growing vegetables in space is that most crews rely on packaged foods, which may be degraded in food quality and reduced in terms of nutrients. Thus, astronauts can consume fresh food and thus eat a healthy diet with a variety of ingredients. Peppers were chosen since they are easy to grow and contain good quantities of Vitamin C.
Twitter users reacted to the momentous news shared by NASA. Take a look:
Fresh peppers?! Okay, maybe space could be worth visiting.— AST Pet Support Suit (@PetSupportSuit) October 30, 2021
Looks good enough to make some rellenos! Lol happy harvest day!— Wakeah Vigil (@wakeah_99) October 30, 2021
That's sooo cool.— Lynn (@grape_stomper) October 30, 2021
Chiles in space! ????️????— LarryPfeffer (@cat4lyst_Ma) October 30, 2021
This is not the first time NASA has grown food in outer space. In December 2020, astronauts had harvested the first ever radish crop in outer space. Click here to read more about it.
About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.